It is important that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) people are recognized and protected in state and federal programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Similarly, full inclusion of LGBT people in health care systems requires cultural sensitivity and thoughtful outreach.
To advance these goals, the Center provides articles, resources and assistance for LBGT people and those who advocate on their behalf. The materials included below contain both LBGT-specific resources and resources also of interest to the broader aging community.
| Recent Articles and Updates | Other Useful Articles | LGBT Advocacy and Provider Organizations |
Center for Medicare Advocacy Articles
- Administration Issues Final Rule Undermining Non-Discrimination Protections, Days Later Supreme Court Renders Landmark Decision Prohibiting Workplace Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity June 17, 2020
- CMA Comments on Non-Discrimination August 15, 2019
- Trump Administration Proposes to Gut Health Care Rights, Particularly Targeting LGBTQ People May 30, 2019
- New CMS Research Looks at Health Disparities Impacting Older LGBT People July 27, 2016
- Can Electronic Health Records Help Advance Quality Health Care for Older LGBT Patients? February 25, 2016
- New Resources to Help LTC Facility Staff Work with LGBT Older Persons and Their Families August 28, 2014
- Further Federal Protections for Same-Sex Married Couples May 29, 2014
- Bill Introduced to Ensure Equality Under Social Security for Same-Sex Spouses May 15, 2014
- HHS Announces First Guidance Implementing Supreme Court’s Decision on the Defense of Marriage Act August 30, 2013
- Demise of DOMA: Implementing Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses August 15, 2013
For older articles, please see archive.
Useful Articles & resources from Other Sources
ADVOCATES FOR LGBT HEALTH POLICY—GUIDANCE
- How Can Legal Services Better Meet the Needs of Low-Income LGBT Seniors? (Justice In Aging Special Report, June 2016)
- The President supports ending the Defense of Marriage Act, which will simplify access to spousal benefits for Medicare beneficiaries and others July 19, 2011 (site visited June 22, 2015)
- The Windsor case’s details (site visited June 22, 2015).
- Tips for Legal Advocates Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Clients (site visited June 22, 2015)
DISABLED LGBT
- Blind LGBT Pride International, a network of LGBT who discuss their disability in newsletters and meet and network at conventions (site visited June 25, 2015).
- Passing Twice, a network of LGBT who discuss their stuttering disability in newsletters (site visited June 25, 2015).
- An online community for disabled lesbians and queers (site visited June 25, 2015)
- Northwest USA community for disabled LGBT (site visited June 25, 2015)
- A listing of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry concerning being disabled and LGBT (site visited June 25, 2015)
HEALTH RIGHTS
- CMS states that hospital visitation cannot be limited by sexual orientation or gender identity September 8, 2011 (site visited June 22, 2015)
- Eligibility for Advance Payments of the Premium Tax Credit and Cost-Sharing Reductions – Post-DOMA, Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (site visited June 22, 2015): The Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM), established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), will treat same-sex spouses the same as opposite-sex spouses for purposes of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Ruling 2013-17 – Aug. 29, 2013. The ruling does not apply to Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships.
- Guidance post-DOMA for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – Important to Medicaid expansion. CMS has issued guidance that allows states to decide whether to recognize same-sex marriages for purposes of Medicaid/CHIP eligibility. Generally, CMS will recognize same-sex marriages that are (1) recognized by the state or territory in which the applicant or beneficiary resides, or (2) were celebrated in accordance with the laws of any state, territory, or foreign jurisdiction. Given the federal-state nature of the Medicaid and CHIP programs, however, states and territories are permitted to apply their own choice-of-law rules in deciding what law governs the determination of whether a couple is lawfully married. Accordingly, a state is permitted and encouraged, but not required, to recognize same-sex couples who are legally married under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the marriage was celebrated as spouses for purposes of the Medicaid and CHIP programs. The Medicaid and CHIP recognition guidance does not apply to Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships. Click the link above for details.
- Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index for 2014 (HEI) – a voluntary self-evaluative tool for measuring compliance with best practices and cultural competency related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) patients and families (site visited June 22, 2015)
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
- The New York Legal Assistance Group’s LGBTQ Law Project offers assistance concerning “employment, housing, public benefits, shelter access, name changes, gender marker changes, family law and life planning” (site visited June 25, 2015).
- Wake Forest University School of Law offers resources and links for same-sex married and unmarried couples (site visited June 22, 2015)
LONG-TERM CARE
- Nursing Home Residents’ Rights and the LGBT Community, Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (site visited June 22, 2015)
- Long Term Living, “How LGBT-Friendly is Your LTC Community?” (site visited June 22, 2015).
Medicare Advantage Coverage of SNF Services for Same-Sex Married Couples (site visited June 22, 2015). – In accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Windsor, Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations must cover services in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in which a validly married same sex spouse resides to the extent that they would be required to cover the services if an opposite sex spouse resided in the SNF.
PROVIDERS OF HEALTH CARE TO DISABLED LGBT PERSONS—GUIDANCE
- A 2012 study published by the American Journal of Public Health which concludes that the LGBT population is more likely to be disabled than the heterosexual population (site visited June 25, 2015).
PROVIDERS OF HEALTH CARE TO LGBT PERSONS—GUIDANCE
- “The Physical and Mental Health of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) Older Adults: The Role of Key Health Indicators and Risk and Protective Factors” (site visited June 24, 2015). The Gerontologist Advance Access. August 2013.
- “Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care: A Roadmap for Hospitals”, The Joint Commission (site visited site visited June 22, 2015).
- “Optimizing LGBT Health Under the Affordable Care Act: Strategies for Health Centers” (site visited June 25, 2015). November 2013.
PROVIDERS OF HEALTH CARE TO TRANSGENDERED PERSONS—GUIDANCE
- GLAAD offers a basic FAQ as well as advice for allies (site visited June 25, 2015)
- “Care of the Elderly Transgendered Patient” (site visited June 22, 2015). Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity. December 2013.
- “Physical and Mental Health of Transgender Older Adults: An At-Risk and Underserved Population” (site visited June 22, 2015). The Gerontologist Advance Access. March 2013.
SUPPORT FOR LGBT
- An interactive map of LGBT centers nationwide (site visited June 25, 2015)
- The Trevor Project offers a 24-7 hotline where volunteers can assist at risk LGBT teens and young adults. The site also has information concerning how to connect via social networking with other LGBT teens and young adults (site visited June 25, 2015).
SUPPORT FOR TRANSGENDERED PERSONS
- Trans Lifeline volunteers are available to respond to the crises of transgendered persons such as questions surrounding gender identity (site visited June 25, 2015).
- Transgender Aging Network (site visited June 22, 2015)
LGBT Advocacy and Provider Organizations
- AARP Aging LGBT resources (site visited June 22, 2015)
- American Society on Aging (site visited June 22, 2015)
- Azteca Project, a resource for LGBT Hispanics (site visited June 22, 2015)
- International Foundation for Gender Education (site visited June 22, 2015)
- Lambda Legal (site visited June 22, 2015)
- National Association on HIV over 50 (site visited June 22, 2015)
- National Center for Lesbian Rights (site visited June 22, 2015)
- National Coalition for LGBT Health (site visited June 22, 2015)
- National Elder Law Network (site visited June 22, 2015)
- The National LGBTQ Task Force Policy Institute (site visited June 22, 2015)
- National Resource Center on LGBT Aging (site visited June 22, 2015)
- National Sexuality Resource Center (site visited June 22, 2015)
- Primetimes (site visited June 22, 2015)
- SAGE – Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (site visited June 22, 2015)
- SAGE’s information concerning transgendered elders (site visited June 22, 2015)