“The announcement the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued today is misguided and mean-spirited. This is a #RxforDiscrimination in health care from an administration that has tried repeatedly to take essential coverage away from tens of millions of families and discriminate against women, the LGBTQ community and other vulnerable populations.

This is yet another disgraceful attempt by the Trump administration to impose its political agenda on our health care system.

HHS should not devote precious resources to a new division dedicated to defending discrimination. Its Office for Civil Rights should instead focus on enforcing all federal anti-discrimination laws, including section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

We will work with Congress to fight these moves, which subvert HHS’ mission and run counter to what the country wants and needs.”