Title
Authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings examining the state of LGBTQ+ health in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ health includes, but is not limited to, access to and quality of general healthcare, sexual and reproductive healthcare, gender-affirming healthcare, HIV/AIDS medication and preventative healthcare, mental healthcare and treatment, and population health and wellbeing generally; and
WHEREAS, Data consistently shows that LGBTQ+ people have significant health disparities in comparison to their straight and cis peers; inequities in accessing healthcare, quality and affordable housing, fair treatment in the education and criminal justice system, and LGBTQ+ people are at greater risk of dying by suicide; and
WHEREAS, this disproportionate impact is the direct result of compounded anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and other systemic barriers to accessing healthcare services across the United States. Under the current federal administration, the impacts to health outcomes for LGBTQ+ people have only worsened; and
WHEREAS, The federal government has rescinded numerous laws protecting Trans people; it has enacted laws banning life-saving healthcare such as gender-affirming care; it has written numerous letters and official memos threatening and stating its desire to stop funding for any health provider serving Trans people, and has contributed to a culture of fear and violence that directly impacts the health, wellbeing, and lives of Trans people across the Country, including in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to a number of established LGBTQ+ health providers and community organizations that have served the community for decades. Many of these providers are facing challenges funding existing programming and have put planned program expansions on hold. Consistent threats to cut funding and overreaching investigations into organizations' practices as a result of the current federal administration have...
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