The AAMC Dec. 19 submitted a comment letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in response to a Nov. 19 proposed rule and notice of nonenforcement that would make changes to the department’s grant regulations, including nondiscrimination provisions.
The AAMC letter says that the “AAMC strongly opposes the removal of the enumeration of groups protected from discrimination in the administration of HHS programs and services for all enumerated groups as this will harm LBGTQ Americans. Further, the AAMC urges HHS to retain the provision that explicitly requires recipients of HHS grants to treat as valid the marriages of same-sex couple, as required by holdings in the Supreme Court.”
The letter also “strongly objects” to the HHS notice of nonenforcement by noting, “The AAMC asks that HHS withdraw the Notice because it cannot fail to enforce duly promulgated regulations without engaging in notice and comment rulemaking.”
The letter builds on previous AAMC comments [see Washington Highlights, Oct. 30, 2015] that supported nondiscrimination provisions and notes, “Our members are key health care providers to their communities and are strongly committed to treating all patients and families with respect and providing the highest quality, most equitable care.”
- Washington Highlights