by Guest CommentBuckeye flame
Editor’s note: Ohio enacted a medical conscientious objection law in 2021. When it was passed, the Human Rights Campaign called it “The most homophobic law in the country“
This piece was originally published the conversation Under Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.
By Nathaniel M. Tran and Periwinkle Seljord-Solberg
A growing number of states in the United States have passed laws that allow health care providers – including doctors, nurses and pharmacists – to refuse to treat patients based on their personal or religious beliefs. when this Conscientious Objection Act has existed for a long time Problems like miscarriageTheir impact on LGBTQ+ people is not well studied.
As of April 2026, 11 United States Enacted conscientious objection laws specifically targeting LGBTQ+ people. as Public health researchers Those who study Public policy implications on The health of LGBTQ+ peopleWe wanted to examine how these laws have roughly affected 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ Americans Live in a state where a provider can legally refuse their care.
Looking specifically at sexual minorities, our research found that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer adults are more likely to live in states that have passed conscientious objection laws. 28% less likely to report HIV test for the first timeCompared to peers in states without conscientious objection laws. These laws do not affect HIV testing rates for heterosexual adults.
Similarly, there were LGBQ+ adults in affected states 71% more likely to report good or poor health After the law was passed, compared to states without the law.
Loss measurement
Data analysis from us Centers for Disease Control and Prevention On the health outcomes of more than 109,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and heterosexual adults from 2016 to 2018. We focused on eight states, comparing the two that enacted conscientious objection laws during that period in Illinois and Mississippi, and the six that did not, Lonaccio, Lonaccio, Mississippi. Wisconsin and Virginia.
To isolate the effects of the law itself, we compared changes in health outcomes among LGBQ+ and heterosexual adults living in states with and without religious exemptions in health care both before and after the law was passed. Comparing all of these at once allows us to identify differences in health outcomes due to laws rather than differences that exist between states.
We found that conscientious objection laws were associated with significant harm to LGBQ+ adults, including one Decline in HIV testing and deterioration in self-rated health.
Our findings highlight how laws that allow physicians to refuse health care to LGBQ+ patients deepen existing health disparities. Notably, conscientious objection laws are only one type of policy Limiting LGBTQ+ people’s access to health care.
The Trump administration has slashed the federal budget Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and state-level AIDS drug assistance programs, Reduced availability of HIV prevention and treatment services. States have also moved Access to gender-affirming care is limited For both minors and adults, though, there are added benefits of helping To reduce new HIV infections. Employers have successfully done so Refused to provide insurance coverage Highly effective HIV prevention drugs under the Religious Freedom Act.
Growing inequality
LGBTQ+ people already face more health challenges than their heterosexual peers, including: High rates of unmet health care needs And Discrimination in the medical system.
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEPCan reduce the risk of HIV transmission from sex by 99%. However, patients should undergo an HIV test before being prescribed PrEP. If providers are unwilling or unable to engage with LGBQ+ patients about their sexual health, the people who could most benefit from HIV prevention tools, such as PrEP, may never receive them.
Moreover, since the risk of contracting HIV is intense Associated with social determinants of healthAs with safe and stable housing and employment, barriers to HIV testing can further widen health gaps.
Similarly, deterioration in self-rated health among LGBQ+ adults indicates that The cumulative effect of this law on well-being Real and immediate. A person’s perception of their own health status is one of these The strongest predictor of earlier death.
what can be done
Recognizing the health consequences of conscientious objection laws can help policymakers and the public better understand their impact.
A 2026 national survey found that Americans were more motivated to support policies that address LGBTQ+ discrimination than when these laws were enacted. Improving health disparities rather than economic inequality or a sense of kinship. This finding suggests that people perceive health disparities as unfair and are less likely to blame LGBTQ+ individuals for those situations.
Health care systems can be developed A more secure environment That actively ensures LGBTQ+ patients receive fair and equitable care. It can be more encouraging Timely access to preventive servicessuch as vaccinations and cancer screenings.
For LGBTQ+ people, knowing and finding your rights as patients LGBTQ+-affirmed providers And Community Health Centre Some statutes of limitation may help reduce harm. 🔥
Nathaniel M. tranAssistant Professor of Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago And Periwinkle Seljord-SolbergGraduate Student Assistant in Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago.
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