Health of LGBTQ+ Elders is Under Attack


 In: Announcements

We at SAGE have grave concerns about the potential repeal of Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) and its replacement by the so-called American Health Care Act (AHCA). This dangerous legislation hurts those who can least afford it — low and moderate income people in their 50s and 60s. The AHCA would eliminate most of the help currently provided to older people so they can afford health insurance and specifically lifts restrictions on charging older people more than what younger people pay.

The implications for LGBTQ+ elders are severe. LGBTQ+ older people are more likely than other older Americans to have serious health problems and more likely to be poor. That’s especially true for older lesbians, transgender elders and LGBTQ+ elders of color. Simply put, the AHCA would endanger their health.

And that’s not all. The AHCA also would weaken Medicare and put Medicaid (which many Americans need for long term care) at risk. The end result would be millions of older Americans — including many LGBTQ+ elders — with no health care at all. That’s not what caring looks like.

At SAGE, we refuse to sit by silently in the face of this clear attack on older people, especially when so many of our LGBTQ+ elder pioneers would be so deeply hurt. We’re a community that takes care of our own.

We must condemn and oppose the American Health Care Act. If you care about older members of our LGBTQ+ community, take a stand today. Click below to easily send a letter to your member of Congress.