American Medical Association says current anti-gay laws threaten healthcare

November 10, 9:53 PMInternational LGBT Issues ExaminerKelvin Lynch

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   Will the AMA's pro-gay position affect gay rights?

The nation's largest and most powerful physicians group threw its hat into the ring today in the battle for gay rights in the United States. 

According to The Washington Times, the American Medical Association voted to oppose anti-gay marriage policies like the Defense of Marriage Act, which it says contributes to health disparities, and  "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' which has a "chilling effect" on communication between gay patients and their physicians.

The announcement gives gay rights activists much-need ammunition and may play an important role in hastening the repeal of the anti-gay laws.  There are currently bills making their way through the House and Senate for repeal.

Rea Cary, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said, "It's highly significant that the AMA, as one of this country's leading professional associations, has taken a position on both of these issues."

The health disparities finding is based on evidence showing that married couples are more likely to have health insurance, and that the uninsured have a high risk for "living sicker and dying younger," said Dr. Peter Carmel, an AMA board member.  "Same-sex families lack other benefits afforded married couples, including tax breaks, spouse benefits under retirement plans and Social Security survivor benefits -- all of which can put their health at risk"

Doctors who oppose "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" say the policy forces gay service members to keep their sexual orientation secret and interferes with open communication between gays and their doctors.  "A law which makes people lie to their physicians is a bad law," said Dr. David Fassler, a University of Vermont psychiatry professor who attended the meeting.

What do you think?  Will the AMA's opposition to DOMA and DADT pressure Congress to repeal the discriminatory and unhealthy laws?

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