From: Date: Mon, 08 Aug 94 17:29:37 EDT NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE LEGISLATIVE ALERT Health Care Reform Urgent Action Needed The House of Representatives and the Senate plan to vote on health care reform legislation before the August 19 summer recess. Both the Gephardt bill in the House and the Mitchell bill in the Senate contain anti-discrimination language that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation. This is an historic civil rights victory for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. However, NGLTF expects that some legislators may attempt to delete sexual orientation before a final vote. We must insist that sexual orientation remains in the anti-discrimination language of whatever reform bill passes. Senators and representatives must hear the demand from constituents to include sexual orientation in the non-discrimination language. Please call your Members of Congress immediately and share your concerns: t Anti-gay bias and stigma creates barriers to health care that increase vulnerabilities and risk for certain diseases and health problems. t In a recent national survey conducted by the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights, 9 out of 10 physicians reported observing anti-gay bias, including cases where patients received substandard care or were denied care because of their sexual orientation. t The health insurance industry admits that it may avoid high risk groups when possible. Gay men make up the largest number of cases of AIDS in this country and are thereby perceived to be at risk for costly HIV/AIDS health care. Gay men are thus in danger of discriminatory redlining. In addition to non-discrimination language barring discrimination based on sexual orientation, NGLTF encourages activist to advocate for health care that includes: t Universal coverage, providing health care to all those residing in the U.S. t Comprehensive benefits, offering a broad package of treatments t No restrictions for pre-existing conditions t Permanence, ensuring that coverage cannot be taken away Your action is needed to ensure health reform that reflects the principles of universality, accessibility, equality, diversity and social responsibility. Call your senators and representatives today. Time is running out to ensure equal access to health reform for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Contact: U.S. Capitol Switchboard for the numbers of your Members of Congress at 202-224-3121