The U.S. agency overseeing Medicare is making changes to enrollment application forms by removing questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. This decision comes in response to President Trump’s executive order mandating federal agencies to eliminate references to “gender ideology.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that they will be taking out the voluntary Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification (SOGI) questions from certain enrollment forms used for Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans, and a program assisting low-income individuals with drug costs. These questions were initially introduced during Medicare’s open enrollment period last fall, alongside inquiries about race and employment status.
The purpose of including these questions was to enhance the agency’s understanding of the demographics of individuals enrolling in Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage. However, following the executive order, CMS is now removing these questions to comply with the new directive.
In a memo issued in July, Medicare officials emphasized their commitment to addressing health inequities and disparities within the healthcare system. They believed that collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity would help advance equity mandates by providing a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse Medicare population and their varying health and healthcare needs.
This change in Medicare’s enrollment forms aligns with similar actions taken by other federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which have removed websites and databases related to sexual orientation and gender identity. CDC advisors have raised concerns about the sudden removal of this information and a judge recently ordered government agencies to restore websites taken down due to the “gender ideology” order.
Overall, the decision to remove questions about sexual orientation and gender identity from Medicare enrollment forms reflects a broader shift in federal policy regarding the collection of demographic data. By complying with the executive order, CMS aims to streamline the enrollment process and focus on providing essential healthcare services to Medicare beneficiaries.
