Rapides Parish v. Department of Health & Human Services et al.

Why this Matters:

The plaintiff challenges HHS, USDA and EEOC’s interpretation of federal civil rights protections against sex-based discrimination. They claim that the agencies’ rules and guidance interpreting sex-based discrimination as including gender identity and sexual orientation violate the Spending Clause, the First Amendment, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The Affordable Care Act protects against discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. People who fall in those categories have historically faced various difficulties accessing health care services and have faced worse health outcomes.

Potential Impact: 

Eroding the Affordable Care Act’s nondiscrimination protections would exacerbate the challenges faced by marginalized groups, especially LGBTQI+ people, in accessing needed services and care and further widen health gaps.