LGBTs Join Democratic Interest Groups Tossed Under Health Care Reform Bus

[Better Believe It]

LGBTs Join List Democratic Interest Groups Tossed Under Health Care Reform Bus
By Teddy Partridge
March 19, 2010

Gays get thrown under the bus with women, Hispanics, public option and single-payer supporters, community colleges, and student loan borrowers. I thought it might be possible to enact health care reform without LGBTs having to take one for the team, but no:

Today, the House Rules Committee released the reconciliation bill through which it will vote on the measure that passed the Senate in December. We are deeply disappointed that, after months of lobbying for their inclusion, important measures specifically addressing the needs of LGBT people and people with HIV – ending the unfair taxation of employer-provided domestic partner health benefits, permitting states to offer early HIV treatment under Medicaid, collecting critical health data on LGBT people and addressing discrimination in health care – are not a part of this bill. On a mixed note, this bill restores $50 million to fund failed abstinence-only sex education programs, but also provides $75 million for comprehensive programs that also address the prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. According the House leadership, a vote on this measure is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

So — on the day when our community members demonstrated coast to coast for our rights to fair employment and military service, isn’t it great to know that LGBTs have also made the sacrifice expected of every left-leaning element of the Democratic coalition?

You like us, you really like us! I was beginning to think we’d been overlooked, but not this time! Kinda crowded under this bus, though….

http://firedoglake.com/

[QC]

1. We were the first Democratic constituency to be thrown under the Hopemobile,

back in October, 2007. We were the pioneers, though we have a lot of company now: women, teachers, labor, environmentalists, civil libertarians, pretty much every traditional constituency of our party.

[Deep13]

2. We need a bigger bus.

It's so crowded that I can't turn my face away from the armpit of a union organizer. And a civil rights lawyer has her knee in my crotch.

[soleft]

3. I just added my partner to my health insurance

The amount I have to pay in taxes on my employer contributions is equal to the increase in my contributions. So essentially, I have to pay double what everyone with an opposite sex spouse pays.

[QC]

4. And the Unrec Brigade has shown up to remind the homos

just how little their concerns matter.

[muffin1]

7. As someone so sweetly reminded me the other day...

"I have better things to waste my time on."

It makes me physically sick to know there are people here that care so little about human rights - when it comes to the GLBT community, that is. Every other kind of rights violation is a call to arms. But teh gays? Just be PATIENT. Fuck, here we go again.

[arthritisR_US]

8. this heterosexual IS concerned and IT matters ! K&R n/t

[Starry Messenger]

5. LGBTs were the first group under the bus

Especially so, since they are also members of the other groups named in the article. They get double helpings of crap.

[dana_b]

6. come on you LGBT folks...

stop raining on this parade. You should be getting all tingly down your spine!!!! :sarcasm: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7955151

Forget that the Dem and this admin uses you as a step stool. Be joyous, happy! The b.s. HCR bill will pass - weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[mdmc]

9. All.my.friends!

We are all under the bus..
even those of us in support of the bill..
we know it will not increase access to affordable medical treatment..