Interactive Quiz: How the Affordable Care Act Benefits Gay and Transgender Individuals

Answer: A) Twice as likely

Due to discriminatory laws and unequal workplace policies, gay individuals are roughly twice as likely to be uninsured as their straight counterparts. As a result, they are more likely to delay or not seek medical care and more likely to have to rely on emergency rooms for health care services.

D) 31 percent

Transgender individuals, particularly transgender people of color, are especially likely to lack health insurance due in large part to the pervasive discrimination they experience in the job market as well as insurance policy exclusions that explicitly exclude care for transgender people. The majority of plans sold in the United States exclude coverage of any services for a transition-related medical purpose, even when the same or comparable services are routinely covered for other medical conditions.

Answer: C) Both

Gay and transgender people are significantly less likely to have health insurance compared to their straight and nontransgender counterparts. Thanks to the health reform law, many gay and transgender Americans who have not been able to afford health insurance will be able to apply for Medicaid or purchase affordable private coverage through health insurance exchanges in every state starting in 2014.

Answer: C) Both

Under the Affordable Care Act the exchanges may not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in any of their activities. Each state is charged with enforcing these protections.

Answer: C) 77 percent

Gay adults are significantly less likely to report having excellent or very good overall health than their heterosexual counterparts. Because gay people are more likely to be uninsured and to experience discriminatory treatment both inside and outside the doctor’s office, they experience a range of significant health disparities, including increased rates of cancer, substance use, and mental health concerns such as depression. Many of these disparities are even greater for bisexual people.

Answer: D) 67 percent

Transgender individuals experience staggering health disparities as a result of discrimination in health care, insurance coverage, employment, and other areas of daily life. For example, 50 percent of transgender individuals report thoughts of suicide at some point in their lives, compared to just 2 percent of nontransgender individuals.

Correct Answer: A) Asian American gay adults are the gay minority group most likely to report experiencing psychological distress.

In fact, Asian American gay adults are the gay minority group most likely to report experiencing psychological distress. For individuals who belong to multiple populations that experience health disparities, these disparities do not simply add up: They multiply. For gay and transgender communities of color, a lack of affordable health care and insurance and culturally competent service providers—combined with persistent racism in society—are some of the largest causes of health disparities.

Answer: A) 2013

According to Section 4302 of the Affordable Care Act, the secretary may collect any demographic data that she believes to be important for understanding and addressing health disparities. Secretary Sebelius has announced that these data collection efforts will include sexual orientation and gender identity. These efforts will begin in 2013 and will help policymakers, researchers, and health advocates better understand the health disparities experienced by gay and transgender Americans.

Answer: B) Equal health insurance benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees

Federal employees with same-sex partners cannot access the same health care benefits currently afforded to straight employees and their partners or spouses. Unfortunately a provision that would end discrimination in benefits for the families of gay federal employees was not included in the final health reform law.

Answer: D) All of the above

The Affordable Care Act offers many benefits for those living with HIV or AIDS. It phases out the Medicare Part D “donut hole” for prescription drugs by 2020, provides individuals living with HIV or AIDS greater access to health coverage through the expansion of state Medicaid programs, and will prohibit insurance carriers from dropping or refusing to accept applicants based on their HIV status.

Answer: C) Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, in a speech in fall 2011

In a recent speech at the first-ever White House LGBT Health Conference, Secretary Sebelius also noted, “When this Administration took office, the health care system wasn’t working for a lot of Americans. But it was especially broken for LGBT Americans. …that wasn’t right. All Americans, regardless of where they live or their age, sex, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, have a basic right to get the care they need.”

Answer: A) The Patient’s Bill of Rights prohibits insurers from denying coverage to children under age 19 with pre-existing conditions as of 2010

This requirement will extend to adults in 2014. The Patient’s Bill of Rights can be found on HealthCare.gov, the health reform website maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services. The site also includes a Health Plan Finder tool that allows same-sex couples to search for plans offering coverage for domestic partners.