Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA-01), Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) released the following statement after the release of a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on LGBTQ+ youth in the foster care system and ways the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can assist states in supporting these youth:

“We greatly appreciate GAO conducting this thorough study and helping us identify ways to better support LGBTQ+ foster youth as well as foster youth’s religious beliefs. The Biden Administration has already taken critical steps to reverse discriminatory Trump-era policies that were harmful to LGBTQ+ foster youth and families. Today’s report highlights additional ways Congress and HHS can ensure that states support and protect foster youth in their care, and make sure all young people receive affirming placements and appropriate health care. We’ve heard directly from youth with lived experience about how the right placements and supports make all the difference for their future success. The challenges and opportunities that GAO has identified will inform our ongoing work to support foster youth, and we plan to work closely with the Biden Administration to build on its efforts to reduce discrimination and enhance protections across the nation.”

The full GAO report is available HERE.