Today the American Medical Association (AMA) made two significant announcements regarding LGBT rights. Its members voted to join the effort to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law and declared that bans on same-sex marriage result in health disparities for LGBT couples and families.
The AMA said that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” should be repealed because it creates an ethical dilemma for lesbian, gay and bisexual members of the military and their doctors. Because the law requires LGB service members to serve in silence or face discharge, they are unable to provide doctors will all of the information that may be necessary in giving medical guidance and treatment. HRC applauds the AMA’s announcement and could not agree more.
In addition, the AMA declared that bans on marriage equality for same-sex couples often prevent those couples from obtaining health care benefits, such as insurance and medical leave. Such exclusions result in health disparities.
HRC shares the AMA’s belief that barriers to marriage equality have an array of negative implications for same-sex couples and their families, including substantial health disparities. HRC welcomes the AMA’s concerns over health care disparities and encourages it to support laws that would fully and fairly recognize LGBT people and their families.
The Human Rights Campaign's perspective on the news, issues and events affecting the every day lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across the country.
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