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Washington state reinforces insurance parity requirement for gay spouses
Washington state officials are reminding companies in the state that health benefits must be provided to same-sex spouses if they are provided to heterosexual spouses. The state issued a joint letter Thursday to the state’s employers, insurance companies and benefit plan administrators regarding health care benefits for same-sex married couples.
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Two Fla. municipalities extend healthcare coverage to workers’ same-sex spouses
Two Florida municipalities have voted to extend healthcare coverage to their workers’ same-sex spouses. The city of Lakeland voted 5-2 to add workers’ same-sex spouses to its insurance plan, and Highland County defeated motions by two commissioners who sought to revoke existing coverage for same-sex spouses of county workers.
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Ill. insurance marketplace to open special enrollment for married, gay couples
CHICAGO — Illinois’ health insurance marketplace is now allowing married, gay and lesbian couples to enroll for private coverage. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in the state, Get Covered Illinois announced it will open up special enrollment periods for gay couples.
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Medicare coverage ban on gender reassignment surgery lifted
SAN FRANCISCO — Transgender people receiving Medicare may no longer be automatically denied coverage for gender reassignment surgeries, a U.S. Department of Health and Services review board ruled Friday in a groundbreaking decision that recognizes the procedures as a medically necessary and effective treatment for individuals who do not identify with their biological sex.
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Complaint accuses Fla. insurers of discrimination against HIV patients
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Two health organizations filed a complaint with federal officials Thursday, alleging that some Florida insurance companies are violating the Affordable Care Act by structuring their drug policies in a way that discourages consumers with HIV and AIDS from choosing their plans.
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Rochester to cover gender reassignment for transgender city workers
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Officials in Rochester, N.Y., say their city will extend transition-related health coverage to transgender and gender non-conforming municipal employees.
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Lambda Legal sues doctor, clinic for denying care to transgender woman
URBANA, Ill. — Lambda Legal on Tuesday filed a lawsuit claiming that an Illinois health care services group denied medical care to a transgender woman after she requested hormone replacement therapy.
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Study: Marriage leads to improved health for same-sex couples and their children
A recent report from The New England Journal of Medicine finds that marriage equality has positive effects on public health by improving access to healthcare for same-sex couples and their children, and reducing the risks of anxiety, depression and other mental health problems when a couple’s relationship is not legally recognized.
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Same-sex spouses to be recognized for Medicare eligibility, enrollment
WASHINGTON — The Obama Administration announced Thursday that same-sex spouses will be recognized in administering several aspects of the Medicare program, regardless of where the couple resides.
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Ohio couple dismisses challenge to gay marriage ban over healthcare coverage
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A married, same-sex couple in Ohio who had trouble getting family coverage under the federal health care law has dismissed their lawsuit seeking to overturn the state’s gay marriage ban.