Affordable Care Act: HIV Coverage Still Unclear

"The Affordable Care Act (ACA) goes a long way to protect gays and lesbians against discrimination, but much of the law's impact on them -- as well as on anyone living with HIV -- remains to be seen, advocates [in Washington] said Monday. The recently finalized Essential Health Benefits rules, which lay out the minimum coverage requirements for health plans, prevent insurers from discriminating based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and preexisting health conditions including HIV, noted Kellan Baker, associate director for LGBT [lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people] research and communications at the Center for American Progress (CAP), a left-leaning advocacy group. The landmark 2010 health law also ends the lifetime cap on health insurance benefits and extends coverage to those with preexisting conditions -- both important provisions for those living with HIV because the cost of care is so high, Baker said at an event sponsored by the center." (Pittman, Medpage Today, 3/18)

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