A recent article published by Metro Weekly reveals that the newest Obama health care proposal does not include any specific health provisions for the gay community that were initially in the House bill. What it does include is an $11 billion plan for “the operation, expansion, and construction of community health centers.” This plan could be beneficial for HIV and LGBT clinics throughout the nation. Representative Baldwin, however, called this only “an important step forward.” Because Obama’s health proposal is more in line with the Senate bill, it does not include protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity – all of which were included in the House bill. Gay rights supporters such as Rep. Baldwin plan to continue to fight for increased provisions for the LGBT community in the final health care bill.

Related Articles:

http://metroweekly.com/news/?ak=4915

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/02/23/Obama_Health_Plan_a_Mixed_Bag_for_gays/

http://www.365gay.com/news/obama-health-plan-lacks-lgbt-provisions/

*This post was written by CP Intern, Yosef Getachew