By Dominique N. Marsalek, M.A.
Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin, is reintroducing legislation that aims to include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in government surveys. The purpose is to gather more comprehensive data on how the healthcare crisis impacts LGBTQ groups. Currently, these surveys do not include such questions, creating a significant data gap that hinders the understanding of the specific needs of the LGBTQ community. Baldwin emphasized that including this information in surveys would support arguments for increased resources and services for the community.
However, the availability of greater resources is uncertain due to spending caps negotiated as part of the debt ceiling deal for the next two years. Baldwin expressed concern that the rising costs will limit the spread of available funds. As the chair of the health appropriations subcommittee, she recognizes the challenges ahead.
The LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act failed to advance in the previous session, despite being passed by the House with a 220-201 vote in June of the previous year. Addressing privacy concerns, Baldwin mentioned that most surveys are obligated to anonymize data to protect individuals' identities.
Notably, Baldwin played a significant role in the Senate's efforts last year to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which previously defined marriage as between a man and a woman under federal law.