AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted with unanimous support, of those present, on legislation sponsored by Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, that would require health care facilities to collect patient data related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
"This bill provides the opportunity for physicians to build greater trust with patients by asking about their sexual orientation and gender identity, which are fundamental components of their lives," said Rana. "The goal in patient-centered health care is prevention, and this legislation will help encourage community members to seek preventative care before a potentially debilitating ailment presents itself."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many health care providers do not routinely discuss sexual orientation or gender identity with their patients, and as such, may not be providing the appropriate preventive screenings, assessments of risk for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, discussions about parenting as well as effective interventions for behavioral health concerns.
The bill faces additional votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Rana is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents House District 21, which is home to many of Bangor's service providers, tent cities, homeless shelters and warming shelters. She serves on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Taxation and the Joint Select Committee on Housing.
Contact: Brian Lee [Rana], 305-965-2744