Issue
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is a non-governmental regulatory organization created and governed by chief insurance regulators in the U.S. The NAIC’s Special Committee on Race and Insurance drafted its Principles of Data Collection to identify sociodemographic factors of insured people, including sexual orientation and gender identity, which it recommends insurance companies collect.
Impact
LGBT people experience various mental and physical health disparities compared to their non-LGBT peers as a result of experiencing stigma. In addition, our research shows that many LGBT people report facing challenges in accessing health care, particularly among LGBT people of color.
Summary
The comment commends the NAIC’s recommendation that insurance companies collect information on people’s sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). It explains that collecting data on the demographics and experiences of LGBT people helps medical providers provide the highest quality care to LGBT patients. Having reliable SOGI data also allows researchers and policymakers to develop statutory, regulatory, and other interventions that properly address disparities in health care access and outcomes between LGBT and non-LGBT people.