At Sen. Casey's Urging, HHS Restores Sexual Orientation Question to Key Older Americans Survey
Decision Comes After Casey, Collins-Led Letter with 17 Other Senators
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Ranking Member Bob Casey (D-Pa.) welcomed the decision of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restore a question on sexual orientation to a survey that assesses whether key programs are meeting the needs of older LGBT Americans. The decision by HHS to restore the sexual orientation question comes after HHS proposed to remove it and Ranking Member Casey and Special Committee on Aging Chairman Susan Collins (R-Maine) wrote a letter to HHS objecting to the removal and staff pressed HHS decision-makers during a requested briefing on the topic.
“Restoring the sexual orientation question to the key Older Americans Act survey will help ensure that federal resources best serve the needs of older LGBT Americans,” Sen. Casey said. “I am pleased that HHS has reversed course and I will continue to fight to ensure that the administration recognizes and supports LGBT Americans.”
