Opposing the HHS License to Discriminate Against LGBT Patients

The HHS Office of Civil Rights’ creation of a Division of Conscience and Religious Freedom whose stated goal is to “protect” healthcare providers who object to performing medical procedures based on religious or moral grounds constitutes a license to discriminate against LGBTQ patients and women seeking reproductive health services. This overly broad and wholly unnecessary mandate presents a direct conflict with nondiscrimination standards adopted by the Joint Commission and all major health professional associations, including the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, and American Psychological Association, that have already recognized the need to ensure LGBTQ patients are treated with respect and without bias or discrimination in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings.

GLMA, along with other LGBTQ advocates, have already begun to mobilize to fight this proposal and ensure LGBTQ people receive the care they need and deserve. To aid us in our advocacy efforts, GLMA is collecting stories from healthcare providers regarding their own or patient experiences with providers who have raised moral and religious objections in providing care. Please share any stories you may have!

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* 1. Name:

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* 2. Credentials:

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* 3. Profession:

Please provide us with your e-mail and phone number. We may use this information to follow-up if necessary. We will not use your name or other identifying information without your consent.

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* 4. *E-mail:

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* 5. *Phone Number:

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* 6. City, State:

Please be sure to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality when sharing your answers to the following questions.

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* 7. Do you have any stories to share in which you experienced or have seen refusal of care to LGBTQ patients due to moral and religious objections? What was the impact on the patient? What was the impact, if any, on your personal delivery of care?

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* 8. How do you think this proposed rule will impact you or how has it already impacted you, in your delivery of care to LGBTQ patients?

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* 9. Please share any additional comments or thoughts that you may have.

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