Public Comments
Howard Brown Health has been advocating for the health and wellness of LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities since 1974. One way that Howard Brown does this advocacy work is by submitting public comments and testimonies to city, state, and federal government agencies. We leverage the expertise of our staff, patients, and community to provide public comments and recommendations on a wide variety of policy priorities and initiatives, including: equitable insurance and healthcare access, community health center funding, HIV services, trans-affirming care, LGBTQ non-discrimination, racial justice, sexual and reproductive health, and more. Below is an archive of Howard Brown’s public comments and testimonies to government agencies regarding policies and initiatives to advance health equity. If you have questions about any of these comments, please feel free to contact Tim Wang, Director of Policy and Advocacy, at timothyw@howardbrown.org.
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January 2023:
- Public Comment to the Department of Health and Human Services on Essential Health Benefits
- Letter to Gov. Pritzker on Gender Affirming Care in Illinois
- Public Comment to the Health Resources and Service Administration on the 340B Drug Pricing program
- Sign on from the 340B ADR AIDS United workgroup to the Health Resources and Service Administration on the 340B Drug Pricing program
- Sign On to Drug Enforcement Administration on Telemedicine Prescribing of Controlled Substances
- Public Comment to Food and Drug Administration on Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Blood Donations
- Sign On to Health and Human Services on Implementation of the Federal Evidence Agenda on LGBTQI+ Equity
- Sign on to Health and Human Services for Advancing Health Equity for Intersex Individuals
- Public Comment to Health and Human Services on Safeguarding the Rights of Conscience as Protected by Federal Statues
- Public Comment on Health Benefits for Immigrant Adult and Seniors
- Public Testimony to Cook County in Support of Access to Gender Affirming Care
December 2022:
November 2022:
- Testimony to IL Medicaid Advisory Committee Regarding Prior Authorization for HCV Treatment
- Public Comment on Behalf of LGBTQIA+ Primary Care Alliance on HRSA Telehealth PIN
- Public Comment to HRSA on Support for Expanding Telehealth
- Sign-On Letter to Congressional Leaders on Support for the PREVENT Pandemics Act
- Public Comment to CMS Regarding Equity and Efficiency in Healthcare
- Public Comment to HHS on Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities (Section 1557)
- Public Comment to National Science and Technology Council on LGBTQI+ Equity Agenda
- Sign-On Letter to Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services on Expanding Access to PrEP
- Public Comment to CDC on Improving PrEP Uptake Adherence Among Minority MSM (mChoice)
- Public Comment to HHS on LGBTQIA Initiative to Strengthen Primary Health Care
- Public Comment to CDC on Expanding PrEP in Communities of Color (EPICC)
- Public Comment to HHS on National Coverage Analysis for Injectable PrEP
- Public Comment to FDA on Tobacco Rules for Menthol and Flavored Cigars
- Public Comment to IL Congressional Delegation Calling for urgent response to Monkey Pox (MPV) outbreak
- Public Comment to HHS on Older Americans Act Regulations (SAGE)
- Public Comment to HHS on STI Federal Implementation Plan
- Public Comment on CMS Request for Information on Access to Coverage and Care in Medicaid and CHIP
- Public Comment on Impact of Prescription Benefit Managers’ Business
- Public Comment on Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) fee reform to CMS
- Letter of Support of Client Assistance Program (CAP) be re-designated to Equip for Equality
December 2021:
- Public Comment on Final NIH SGMRO Comments from FPR
- Public Comment on Good Faith Estimate Requirements on FQHCs
- Public Comment on Methods for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities from LGBTQ Community Health Researchers
- Public Comment on Methods for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities from the LGBTQ Primary Care Alliance
- Public Comment on Proposed Rescission of Executive Order 13937
- Public Comment on CMS Updating Payment Parameters and Improving Health Insurance Markets
- Public Comment on Methods for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities from Howard Brown
- Public Comment on Suggestions to Advance and Strengthen Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Biomedical Research and Advance Health Disparities and Health Equity Research
- Testimony in Support of HB 1063 HA 1: HIV Decriminalization in IL, delivered by Dr. Cori Blum to the IL House Judiciary—Criminal Committee
- Testimony in Support of SB 2133: SOGI Data Collection, delivered by Tim Wang to the IL Senate Human Rights Committee
- Letter on Inclusion of vulnerable communities in Phase 1C vaccine distribution to city, county, state officials
- Public Comment on Proposal to delay effective date of regulation entitled “Implementation of Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-saving Medications” until July 20, 2021
- Public Comment on Current Population Survey (CPS) Basic Demographic Items (Docket Number USBC–2020–0031)
- Testimony in IL Senate Health Committee on COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout, delivered by Ken Griffin
December 2020:
- Public Comment on Fostering Innovative Research to Improve Mental Health Outcomes Among Minority and Health Disparities Populations
- Public Comment on WHO draft sexual health-related survey instrument and consensus statement
- Public Comment on Chicago Proposed City Budget
- Public Comment on APA Resolution on Gender Identity Change Efforts and Resolution on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts
- Public Comment on IL State Plan on Aging
- Public Comment on STI National Strategic Plan 2021-2025
- Public Comment on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Implementation of Executive Order 13937, “Executive Order on Access to Affordable Lifesaving Medications.”
- Public Comment on Recommendations for Strengthening and Preserving the 340B Drug Pricing Program