Marriage equality reduces doctor visits and health care costs for gay men

Gay men are able to lead healthier, less stress-filled lives when states offer legal protections to same-sex couples, according to a new study examining the effects of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. A 13-percent reduction in health care visits and a 14-percent reduction in health care costs are benefits of marriage equality. “Our results suggest that removing these barriers improves the health of gay and bisexual men,” said Mark L. Hatzenbuehler, PhD, and lead author of the study. In the 12 months following the 2003 legalization of marriage equality in Massachusetts, gay and bisexual men had a significant decrease in medical care visits, mental health care visits, and mental health care costs, compared with the 12 months before the law change.

[via MediLexicon]