Despite advancements in health insurance coverage and the removal of legal barriers, LGBT adults continue to face significant disparities in accessing healthcare due to cost, according to researchers, including Thomas Buchmueller, Ph.D., a Health Economist at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Supreme Court’s marriage equality ruling were expected to improve access to care, the study published in Health Affairs reveals that the disparities persist. The research suggests that factors such as enrolling in less comprehensive insurance plans with higher costs and facing bias, discrimination, and stigma contribute to the persistent access gap, highlighting the need for improved insurance coverage quality and cost control measures.
