(Washington, DC, June 22, 2017)—Today, Senate Republicans released a “discussion draft” of their healthcare repeal plan. National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell issued the following statement in response:

“After unprecedented secrecy during drafting, a small number of senators put forward a plan today to take away healthcare from millions of Americans, including millions of LGBTQ Americans,” said Kate Kendell, executive director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “With deep cuts to Medicaid and the federal defunding of Planned Parenthood, this rushed and unnecessary debacle will do nothing except strip coverage from those who need it most, including people of color, LGBTQ people, elders, immigrants, and young people. And after 30 years of progress in fighting HIV, this plan turns back the clock and endangers those living with HIV by cutting off access to care. With the full force of our community behind us, we will continue to fight against this bill as though our lives depend on it—because they do.”

Earlier this month, the National Center for Lesbian Rights co-authored a letter to the Senate with the Human Rights Campaign that was signed by more than 60 LGBTQ organizations, outlining how the American Health Care Act would be devastating to the LGBTQ community and harm millions of Americans. The full text of the letter and list of organizations signed on in support is available here: http://bit.ly/AHCAlgbtq