2026 Illinois Legislative Session Review
Every year, Howard Brown Health advocates for state legislation to advance and protect access to care, public health funding and additional policies important to LGBTQ+ people and our allies. We thank members of the Illinois General Assembly who passed several…
H.R. 1 Roadmap: Upcoming Changes to Medicaid
In July 2025, H.R. 1 was passed and signed into federal law. This bill included unprecedented funding cuts and changes to eligibility requirements for Medicaid that could strip nearly 12 million low-income and disabled Americans of health insurance coverage by 2034, according…
Understanding U.S. v. Skrmetti: The Future of Gender Affirming Care for Minors
What is the Skrmetti Case? The Skrmetti case, officially United States v. Skrmetti, is a legal challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning bans on gender-affirming care for minors. The case focuses on whether such bans, like Tennessee Senate Bill 1, violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth…
Medicaid Funding Cuts Will Impact the Health of Our Communities
The House of Representatives recently approved a budget that would require deep cuts to Medicaid. The proposed budget bill is asking the Energy and Commerce Committee to eliminate $880 billion from its budget. There is no way to eliminate this…
The SAVE Act Could Prevent Millions from Voting
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and will be voted on the in the next few days. This legislation would require potential voters to bring proof of U.S. citizenship in-person when registering…
Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2025
50 years ago, Howard Brown Health was founded by four volunteers with a vision to improve the health of their communities. So many years later, our volunteers are still a core part of the work we do every day. In…
Get Ready for Election Day 2024
The General Election is November 5! We want to ensure your Election Day runs as smoothly as possible. We have some resources to consider when planning your Election Day. First, make sure you are registered to vote. You can register…
Celebrating 50 Years of Howard Brown Health
Following two years of service to the community beginning in 1974, Howard Brown Health was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Illinois. In that document, our founders laid out our core purpose: “To provide health care…
Tell Legislators to Support Reproductive Treatments for LGBTQ+ Families
On your ballot this November, there will be a non-binding advisory question regarding insurance coverage for medically assisted reproductive treatments. While this question is not binding, it will serve as a way for Illinois legislators to better understand your needs…
How to Support LGBTQ+ Older Adults in Illinois
Nearly 2.9 million Illinoisians are now 60 or older, representing 22% of the population in Illinois. Far too many older adults experience abuse, neglect, poor care, isolation, and difficulty finding affirming and supportive spaces. For LGBTQ+ older adults, the barriers…
Celebrating Our 2024 Shapen Fellows
Each summer, Howard Brown Health welcomes a group of undergraduate students to our organization for The Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship. The Shapen Fellowship focuses on developing project management skills in the field of public health and community medicine. This…
Honoring the Legacy of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project at Howard Brown Health
At Howard Brown Health, we are proud to announce an upcoming tribute that will honor the legacy of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project (LCCP). In late Spring 2025, we will unveil a tribute wall on the third floor of our…