APLA Health Statement on Texas Judge’s Ruling That Federal Mandate to Cover PrEP Violates Religious Freedom

APLA Health CEO Craig E. Thompson issued the following statement following a ruling from a U.S. District Judge in Texas that a federal health insurance mandate to cover PrEP – a highly effective medication for the prevention of HIV – violates the religious freedom of a Christian-owned company that provides health insurance to its employees:

“This decision is outlandish and shocking in so many ways, but it continues a series of equally unthinkable attacks on LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights in Texas and other states across the country – including efforts to criminalize gender-affirming care for transgender youth and abortion services.

“PrEP is a key pillar of federal, state, and local efforts to end the HIV epidemic. Over the past decade alone, PrEP has allowed hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. to take charge of their own health and remain HIV negative. Someone’s religious beliefs should have no place in determining whether someone else has access to this highly effective medication.

“The company that brought the case in Texas objected to providing insurance policies that include PrEP ‘claiming they facilitate and encourage homosexual behavior, intravenous drug use, and sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman’. Not only is that contention factually false, but once again we are witnessing a right-wing fringe element using religion to launch more attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and others seeking to exercise control over their own health care decisions.

“While this week’s decision is extremely limited and will likely be appealed, given the makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court, it could very well be upheld nationally and have even more far-reaching implications. APLA Health stands with our partners in condemning this discriminatory ruling and remains committed to protecting access to PrEP and other critically needed health care services for the LGBTQ+ community.”