Access to Healthcare: Affordable Care Act

Affordable Care Act is greatly improving access to health coverage for LGBTQ+ Americans.

 

Studies have shown that health disparities related to sexual orientation and gender identity are due in part to lower rates of health coverage. The Affordable Care Act will give all Americans, including LGBTQ+ Americans, improved access to health coverage through an expanded, stronger Medicaid program and new Affordable Insurance Exchanges, marketplaces for quality, affordable health insurance. Moreover, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny individuals coverage or charge them more based on pre-existing conditions – meaning that all Americans will have the security of knowing that they can access affordable, quality health coverage even if they lose their jobs, switch jobs, move, or become sick.

Other notable parts in the Affordable Care Act that will benefit LGBTQ+ Americans – like all Americans – are the provisions that permit individuals to remain on their parents’ health plans until age 26 and enhance the availability of preventive services for women in new health plans and seniors on Medicare.

As the Affordable Care Act is implemented, HHS has taken significant steps to help improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ Americans. Here’s how:

  • Ensuring equal access to coverage.
  • Promoting wellness by generally requiring insurers to cover preventive care at no additional cost.
  • Preventing discrimination based on pre-existing health conditions.
  • Eliminating lifetime limits on coverage for individuals with chronic diseases.
  • Treating all families equally in gaining access to coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find FAQs about how ACA pertains to LGBTQ+ families with links to the specific start location in the above embedded video that provides their answers.

  1. What does the Affordable Care Act mean for LGBTQ+ families?

  2. How does the Affordable Care Act protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people?

  3. What does the Affordable Care Act mean for people with pre-existing conditions like HIV/AIDS or cancer?

  4. What are the non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in the Affordable Care Act?

  5. How do I shop for a health plan if I have a chronic medical condition?

  6. How can the Affordable Care Act help to address health disparities within the LGBTQ+ community?

  7. What financial assistance is available to me?

  8. What other resources are available regarding health insurance options for LGBTQ+ people?

Learn more about how the ACA is improving the health of LGBTQ+ Americans at HeathCare.gov.

Health Care Reform

HHS engaged in broad outreach to help uninsured Americans gain access to quality affordable health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces. It is crucial for all communities to understand their options and how to enroll in coverage.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is greatly improving access to health coverage for LGBTQ+ Americans. Studies have shown that health disparities related to sexual orientation and gender identity are due in part to lower rates of health coverage. The ACA has helped address this issue in the following ways.

  • Treating all individuals and families equally in gaining access to coverage.
  • Promoting wellness by generally requiring insurers to cover preventive care at no additional cost.
  • Preventing discrimination based on pre-existing health conditions.
  • Eliminating lifetime limits on coverage for individuals with chronic diseases.
  • Permitting individuals to remain on their parents’ health plans until age 26.
  • Enhancing the availability of preventive services for women in new health plans and seniors on Medicare
Content created by Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)
Content last reviewed