TL/DR –
A U.S. judge has blocked the enforcement of a new Biden administration rule against discrimination on the basis of gender identity in health care. The rule, set to take effect on Friday, stated that a federal prohibition on sex discrimination under the Affordable Care Act health insurance law extends to discrimination against transgender people. The ruling came after 15 Republican-led states challenged the rule, arguing that it exceeded the administration’s authority.
US Judge Blocks Enforcement of Biden’s Anti-Discrimination Rule in Health Care
A US District Judge, Louis Guirola, has halted the enforcement of a recently introduced rule prohibiting gender identity discrimination within health care. This decision emerged from a lawsuit by 15 Republican-led states claiming that the rule overreaches the Biden administration’s authority.
The rule, finalized in May, was due to become effective on Friday. The regulation clarifies that the Affordable Care Act’s federal ban on sex discrimination also includes discrimination against transgender individuals.
The issuing body, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has not yet responded to requests for comments on the blockage. The rule was a response to President Joe Biden’s 2022 executive order, which mandated federal agencies like the HHS to implement measures improving transgender individuals’ access to health care.
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