Suit was filed today in a New York federal district court by two transgender women of color challenging the Department of Health and Human Services'
recent rule revisions that roll back health care anti-discrimination coverage for gay and transgender individuals. The complaint (
full text) in
Walker v. Azar, (ED NY, filed 6/26/2020), alleges in part:
2. The 2020 Rule directly contravenes the Supreme Court of the United States’ recent holding in Bostock v. Clayton Cty., Georgia ... (June 15, 2020), that discrimination “on the basis of sex” includes, without reservation, discrimination based on an individual’s gender identity, including transgender status, or sexual orientation.
3. If allowed to take effect, the 2020 Rule will directly threaten the ability of members of the LGBTQ community to access medically necessary, potentially life-saving medical and health care by removing clear prohibitions against discrimination. And even if members of the LGBTQ community are able to access such health care, the 2020 Rule puts them at grave risk of inadequate care wrought with discrimination solely on account of their identities, which the 2020 Rule makes permissible.
Human Right Campaign issued a
press release announcing the filing of the lawsuit and providing additional background.
