Current CAMPAIGNs

ACCESS TO CARE

Protect and expand the real-world ability of LGBTQ+ individuals to receive high-quality, affirming care regardless of geography or income.

340B

340B is a drug-pricing program developed under the Public Health Service Act that requires pharmaceutical companies contracted with Medicaid to sell medications at discounted prices to community health centers for distribution. Average savings on pharmaceuticals range from 25–50%, enabling often under-funded health centers to afford expensive medications and to reinvest savings into care for uninsured or underinsured patients. 

For LGBTQ+ health centers, 340B plays a critical role in sustaining access to mental health care, HIV prevention and treatment (including PrEP), and gender-affirming services. Cost–benefit analyses consistently demonstrate the effectiveness of 340B programming, yet it remains under persistent threat of funding cuts across states.

The National LGBTQ+ Healthcare Alliance will advocate for federal and state legislative protections to preserve and strengthen this essential program, ensuring health centers can continue maximizing limited resources to serve LGBTQ+ communities.

Gender-Affirming Care

Gender-affirming care encompasses essential, evidence-based health services that affirm and prioritize individual well-being, including hormone therapy, puberty blockers, inclusive primary care, and mental health care. This care is associated with improved health outcomes and long-term cost savings, yet access is increasingly threatened by restrictive federal and state policies.

Limiting access to gender-affirming care is associated with higher rates of depression, mental health crises, and substance use, and may force patients to travel long distances or relocate to receive medically necessary services. Care for people under age 19 has been particularly targeted, placing significant strain on adolescents and their families.

The National LGBTQ+ Healthcare Alliance advocates for reversing policies that restrict access to gender-affirming services and for expanding evidence-based care, especially for younger populations, while removing unnecessary government interference from individual healthcare decisions.

For more information, check out our issue brief regarding the economics of gender-affirming care.

Access Challenges

Barriers to care for LGBTQ+ people extend beyond restrictions on gender-affirming services. Many healthcare professionals lack adequate training to provide affirming care, and some actively discriminate against LGBTQ+ patients. Gender diversity and minority sexual identities can be associated with distinct health needs that are difficult to address when affirming providers are scarce. 

Geography further compounds these challenges. Rural communities often face provider shortages, long travel distances, extended wait times, and limited transportation options. Though it is important to note that care for LGBTQ+ patients is generally more difficult to access than care for non-LGBTQ+ patients, including in urban areas.

The Alliance will advocate for increased access to care by expanding provider training requirements and protecting and scaling telehealth services, particularly for rural and underserved communities.