June 13, 2020 - San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the finalized Health and Human Services Department rule rolling back Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act to weaken anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans, women, communities of color and other vulnerable populations in health care:

“The Trump Administration’s latest shameful rule is a shocking attack on the health and well-being of countless vulnerable communities, including women, LGBTQ individuals and people of color, at a time when access to quality health care is more important than ever.  Undermining the Affordable Care Act’s anti-discrimination protections is a direct assault on basic health care services, from comprehensive reproductive care for women and families to life-saving care for communities of color, seniors, the disabled and the LGBTQ community.  It is particularly disgraceful that the Trump Administration issued this new rule during LGBTQ Pride Month and on the day marking four years since the tragic Pulse Nightclub shooting.

“Our nation is in the midst of a health and economic crisis of staggering proportions.  Instead of working to ensure that every American, regardless of who they are or who they love, has access to the care they need to stay healthy and safe, the Administration is rolling back life-saving protections for some of the most vulnerable communities and enshrining discrimination into vital federal guidelines.  Religious freedom is no justification for hatred or bigotry, and every American has the right to seek and receive care without intimidation or fear.  The Administration must immediately abandon this outrageous decision and give all Americans the reassurance that they will never be denied the health care they or their families need.

“House Democrats will continue to hold this Administration accountable for their dangerous assault on our fundamental values of equality and justice, and we will never stop fighting to ensure all Americans are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Source: Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Related: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Statement on Four Years Since Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub Shooting Says Leader McConnell Must Listen to The Will of The American People, End His Partisan Obstruction and Finally Bring H.R. 8 and H.R. 1112 Up For A Vote