The excitement about the advances in acceptance of gay marriage has touched lives throughout the LGBT community. This recognition, fought for all of these years, is coming to fruition. In addition to these achievements, the Affordable Care Act has created more opportunities for LGBT couples to purchase health and life insurance. With this level of support, domestic partner insurance for many couples who have been dreaming about this day is finally becoming a reality.
An Effort to Reverse Discrimination
For years, many insurance companies denied insurance requests to members of the LGBT community because they didn’t fit the qualifications by law of a married couple. These discriminatory actions led to many people unable to qualify for the insurance they needed, whether health or life insurance. The Affordable Care Act has become a method of reversing this type of discrimination, opening the doors to affordable health care for anyone who needs it. The primary focus is putting everyone on the same level when it comes to obtaining quality health care.
Outreach for the LGBT Community
As one of the first steps to insurance equity, the Center for American Progress launched an initiative of outreach in 2012. To ensure that all LGBT couples gained access to domestic partner insurance, the project strives to create state and federal laws that:
- Ensure equal access to LGBT couples and their families.
- Use education, enrollment, and outreach activities that are relevant to the community.
- Collect valuable demographic information to better serve the LGBT community.
- Ensure appropriate expansion for state Medicaid programs.
It is important to make sure that all members of the LGBT community are aware of the changes and how it can affect their ability to obtain health and life insurance.
Why Is This Important?
While it is obviously important for all individuals to have appropriate life and health insurance, there are specific reasons it is necessary for the LGBT community. For instance, not having the right insurance can leave individuals open to financial ruin in the event of a serious illness, injury, or death. In the past, individuals who identified as LGBT, even those in committed relationships, were forced to purchase separate policies that may not benefit their significant other. This could be costly and often surpassed their budgetary limitations. The Affordable Care Act allows them to obtain the insurance they need well within their budgets. The LGBT community has long been left behind when it comes to life and health insurance. While some insurance companies offered domestic partner insurance, many couples were left without. Today, the Affordable Care Act is taking steps to make dramatic changes. These changes allow LGBT couples to obtain the insurance coverage they need for themselves and their families, creating a level playing field for everyone. If you are interested in health and life insurance, contact us. Our Dallas, TX, insurance agents are ready to help everyone get the insurance they need.