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John,
We have seen President Trump make decisions during his term that are appalling. In recent weeks, as we have faced an unprecedented national and global crisis, we’ve seen time and time again his inability to lead our nation and protect our communities. However, this is among the most abhorrent attacks we have seen from President Trump to date.
In the midst of a global pandemic when marginalized communities are at a disproportionate risk of deadly outcomes from COVID-19, Donald Trump’s administration is moving to encourage discrimination in medical care. This rule change would dangerously and falsely tell hospitals and insurance companies that it’s okay to deny transgender people medical care - even for COVID-19. This, during the greatest public health crisis our country has faced in a century! The rule would also remove requirements to give patients notice of their rights to receive health information in their primary language and to file a grievance if they’re mistreated.
There could not be a more reprehensible time to tell health care providers that it is permissible to deny anyone medical care, including refusing to provide COVID-19 testing and treatment simply because of who someone is. LGBTQ people deserve medical care just like anyone else. We intend to hold the Trump Administration accountable.
Despite receiving over 130,000 public comments opposing these proposed changes, Trump and his cronies on the right have moved forward with their discriminatory attacks on health care access to LGBTQ people.
That’s why we are calling on the Trump Administration to stop playing with people’s lives during this crisis.
It’s hard to fathom that the Trump administration is quietly trying to push these changes through in the midst of a deadly global pandemic that is disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities like LGBTQ people. The cruelty is the point.
Join us as we demand President Trump suspend these incredibly harmful rule changes. Not now during this pandemic, not ever.
Together, we can beat those who intend to attack our community.
Sincerely,
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Mara Keisling
National Center for Transgender Equality
Executive Director |
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