HHS Recommends Actions to Improve the Health and Well-Being of LGBT Communities

Recently the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced additional steps HHS will take to improve the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals.

President Obama directed HHS Secretary Sebelius to provide recommendations as part of his April 2010 memorandum regarding hospital visitation and medical decision-making. Among the recommendations announced were: a commitment to collecting LGBT health data through federally-funded surveys, guidance to states regarding access to federal welfare programs for LGBT families, guidance to states regarding protection of a same-sex partner’s assets when his or her partner uses Medicaid for long-term care, and expanded outreach regarding the range of HHS funding opportunities for organizations that serve the LGBT community.

For a summary of HHS activities in support of LGBT people to date as well as actions to be taken moving forward go here.