Speak Out: Health care changes will have greater impact on LGBT community

During the past several months, there has been increasing discussion regarding the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, often referred to as “Obamacare.” On Oct. 1, the health insurance marketplaces for the ACA will go into effect, helping to bring access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Here in Colorado, our state’s new online health marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, will enable you and your family or small business to shop for, compare, and purchase health insurance that meets your needs and fit your budget.

Although the health insurance marketplaces have not yet launched, the ACA is already offering key benefits and protections for the LGBT community here in Colorado and across the nation, with additional key provisions to be implemented in 2014. For too long, LGBT Americans have faced discrimination from the health insurance industry and the ACA has already made progress to ensure access to quality care is available when it’s needed most. Most critically, the ACA will prevent insurers from denying coverage to anyone regardless of their sexual orientation.

Far too many Americans have had to deal with the insurance companies worst abuses: denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions. The LGBT community has been hit hard by these discriminatory policies. For example, insurers have long considered both transgender individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS to have a pre-existing condition. In 2014 — thanks to the ACA — it will be illegal for insurers to deny coverage to individuals because of pre-existing conditions, including transgender individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS.

Additionally, the ACA will make it easier for same-sex couples to access health insurance together through a insurance and coverage finder website, HealthCare.gov. This includes a filter for same-sex couples to make it easier to locate insurance providers that cover domestic partners. This feature will also be available for small businesses who are seeking plans in the small business market.

The ACA is also funding preventative health efforts at community health centers who are serving the LGBT community to make improvements in addressing the health needs and concerns of LGBT Americans. Through this funding, policy makers will have access to increased research and data and provide more knowledge and tools to fight health disparities in the LGBT community.

As we approach the rollout of our state’s exchange, Connect for Health Colorado, I look forward to working with the people of Denver on how to take advantage of the benefits in the ACA and make it work for all individuals, families, and businesses. This month, I am hosting a series of town halls throughout our community to discuss Connect for Health Colorado and provide important updates. I hope to see many faces from the LGBT community at these events to have their questions answered. I believe it is critically important that the public has all the resources they need to learn about the plans available to them.

The protections and benefits of the health insurance marketplaces, considered to be the heart of the ACA, will be real and significant. This is the relief that the Colorado LGBT community needs and I look forward to bringing these important protections and benefits to the people of the first Congressional district and beyond.