WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, condemned the passage of the Republican-backed reconciliation bill by the U.S. Senate. This bill would make deep cuts to essential programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP that disproportionately serve LGBTQ+ Americans, in addition to “defunding” Planned Parenthood, where many LGBTQ+ Americans turn for essential health care.  

“At every moment since this bill was introduced, its MAGA supporters have tried to hide its cruelty, lie about its consequences, and distract people from the insidious ways it would make life harder for all Americans - including LGBTQ+ people,” said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “But the American people know the truth: this bill will kick millions of people off their healthcare in order to give tax breaks to the wealthy. It will jeopardize access to essential HIV prevention and treatments while also eroding the ability of Planned Parenthood to continue to serve all who rely on it for an affirming environment and essential reproductive care. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina asked the essential question during debate on the bill — ‘What do I tell 663,000 people [in North Carolina] in two years or three years, when President Trump breaks his promise by pushing them off of Medicaid because the funding’s not there anymore?’ 

“Still, this fight isn’t over. As this bill returns to the House of Representatives, every American needs to contact their Member of Congress now and tell them to reject this cruel and hateful bill.”

Key Background on Impact of GOP Reconciliation Bill to LGBTQ+ People

Earlier estimates from the Congressional Budget Office find that the Republican proposals could kick at least 14 million people off of Medicaid. Medicaid is a crucial source of health care for LGBTQ+ individuals, covering a disproportionate share of low-income LGBTQ+ people, including 21% of transgender individuals and 40% of people living with HIV.

• Medicaid is the largest payer for HIV care in the U.S., and any cuts would jeopardize access to essential treatment for individuals living with HIV, undermining national efforts to end the epidemic
• Many LGBTQ+ community health centers rely on federal funding through Medicaid; any reduction would limit services like mental health support, gender-affirming care, and STI testing
• Roughly 22-25% of LGBTQ+ adults in the US live in poverty, compared to about 16% of nontransgender, straight adults

Cuts to SNAP, including stricter eligibility requirements, work mandates, and benefit reductions, would disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ individuals, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or experiencing homelessness.

• LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of food insecurity compared to non-LGBTQ+ individuals
• Research shows that more than 27% of LGBTQ+ adults have struggled to afford food in the past year
• Women, younger individuals, and LGBTQ+ people of color are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity and would face heightened risks under a weakened SNAP program

The bill also includes provisions that would bar funding to Planned Parenthood — targeting an organization that has worked diligently to create welcoming, affirming environments for the LGBTQ+ community and that is committed to reproductive freedom and providing care to all who need it.

***NO LONGER IN THE BILL: Senate Republicans abandoned their cruel efforts to restrict Medicaid and CHIP from covering health care for transgender people.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.