The LGBT health policies adopted by the AMA include:
- Birth Certificate Policies for the Transgender Community: In addition to reaffirming its policy supporting changes on birth certificates on verification by a healthcare provider that an individual is undergoing gender transition, the AMA adopted two additional policies related to transgender health and birth certificates. First, the AMA now opposes any requirement that an individual undergo gender affirming surgery in order to change a birth certificate. Second, the AMA adopted a policy that an individual’s gender marker on a birth certificate not be a barrier to appropriate healthcare for that individual.
- Support for Decriminalization of HIV: The AMA also addressed an important issue related to people living with HIV, calling for laws to be consistent with current medical and scientific knowledge about HIV, including avoiding criminalization of HIV status.
- Leadership of Patient-Centered Medical Homes: The AMA also adopted a policy that patient-centered medical homes be led only by physicians. GLMA voted against this measure in the House of Delegates. As a multidisciplinary organization, GLMA strongly believes all health professionals, regardless of discipline, have important roles to play in advancing the health of LGBT people.
Supportive providers are available. Call for information or go to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association website