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Healthcare Access

The ACLU of Washington believes that everyone should have access to lawful best care medical treatment. Yet in Washington state religious health systems, and even public hospital districts, are denying Washington residents access to important health care services. The ACLU of Washington is enforcing our state laws and fighting back against the use of religion to discriminate in order to ensure Washington residents have access to reproductive, end-of-life and LGBT related health care services, referrals and information.
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Resources

I’m a Transgender Boy, and I’m Suing My Health Insurer to Cover the Medical Care I Need.

Published: 
Friday, October 27, 2017
I’m still devastated by the fact that simply because I’m transgender I was refused coverage for the medical care that my doctor prescribed for me. With the help of the ACLU, we’re bringing a lawsuit against PeaceHealth because no one should be refused care because of who they are.
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Parent sues employer for denying insurance coverage to transgender son

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, October 5, 2017
The ACLU of Washington today filed a civil rights lawsuit against PeaceHealth, a Catholic healthcare organization, on behalf of Cheryl Enstad and her teenage son, Pax, for denying coverage under its health benefits plan for medically necessary surgery to Pax simply because of who he is. The suit says that PeaceHealth’s policy of refusing to cover medical care required by transgender people is discrimination and violates federal and state law.
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Public Hospital Expands Abortion Services in Settlement of ACLU Lawsuit

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Skagit Regional Health agrees to comply with Washington’s Reproductive Privacy Act
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Advocacy Groups Launch Website to Help Patients Know Which Services Hospitals Do—and Don’t— Offer

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Though Washington state has required hospitals to post on their websites the services they offer, many have failed to provide clear information. So, the ACLU-WA and allies have launched the ClearHealth Washington site to fill the information gap.
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Addressing the region’s opiate crisis as a public health issue is the best way to fight it

Published: 
Friday, March 4, 2016
Heavy-handed law enforcement is one of the primary ways society has attempted to deal with the complicated issue of drug abuse. Responding to problematic drug use from a public health perspective is a far better approach.
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