Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Proposed Federal Rule Would Give Gay Spouses Equal Rights At Hospitals, Nursing Homes
Hospitals would have to give equal rights to the spouses of gay and straight patients no matter where they live, as long as the marriages are legal somewhere in the country, the Obama administration said in a proposal today. The new regulations would apply to virtually all U.S. hospitals as well as nursing homes, surgery centers, hospices and mental health clinics that accept Medicare, the U.S. insurance program for the elderly and disabled, or Medicaid, the state-federal program for low-income people. (Wayne, 12/11)
And, on the insurance coverage front -
New York's financial regulators advised health insurers statewide on Thursday to cover transgender treatment deemed to be medically necessary. The Department of Financial Services said commercial insurers may not deny needed treatment for gender dysphoria — when someone's gender at birth is contrary to his or her identity. The guidance sends the message that discrimination against transgender people won't be tolerated, department Superintendent Ben Lawsky said. (Virtanen, 12/11)
