White House Releases Executive Order on Advancing Equality for LGBTQI+ Individuals

President Biden signed Executive Order 14075 directing federal agencies, including Health and Human Services (HHS) and others with responsibility for health coverage, to identify ways to expand affordable coverage, improve quality, strengthen benefits, and increase enrollment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals. This new executive order is consistent with Executive Order 13988, released on January 20, 2021.

Section 7 of the executive order safeguards access to health care and other health supports for LGBTQI+ individuals and includes that:

The Secretary of HHS shall establish an initiative to address the health disparities facing LGBTQI+ youth and adults, take steps to prevent LGBTQI+ suicide, and address the barriers and exclusionary policies that LGBTQI+ individuals and families face in accessing quality, affordable, comprehensive health care, including mental health care, reproductive health care, and HIV prevention and treatment. As part of that initiative, the Secretary of HHS shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law:

• seek funding opportunities related to health, including mental health, for LGBTQI+ individuals, especially youth, including resources for the Nation’s suicide prevention and crisis support services to support LGBTQI+ individuals;
• promote expanded access to comprehensive health care for LGBTQI+ individuals, including by working with States on expanding access to gender-affirming care;
• issue guidance through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health within 100 days of the date of this order on providing evidence-informed mental health care and substance use treatment and support services for LGBTQI+ youth and
• develop and issue a report within one year of the date of this order and after consultation with medical experts, medical associations, and individuals with lived expertise on promising practices for advancing health equity for intersex individuals.