1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

SB187 - Restricting Tax Deductions for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Healthcare This proposed legislation, SB187, would disallow businesses from claiming tax deductions for reimbursements paid to employees covering costs associated with abortion access or gender-affirming healthcare for their minor children. While purportedly aimed at preventing "radical corporate activism," it imposes harmful restrictions on reproductive rights and access to essential healthcare services for transgender youth. Denying tax deductions for abortion-related travel expenses creates financial barriers and impedes the constitutional right to reproductive freedom. Moreover, preventing businesses from supporting their employees' ability to access gender-affirming care for their children is discriminatory and jeopardizes the wellbeing of transgender young people, who already face significant challenges in accessing appropriate medical treatment. This bill's narrow exceptions reveal an underlying attempt to codify particular ideologies rather than safeguard public health. Allowing deductions for "corrective" procedures on intersex infants raises ethical concerns about perpetuating outdated practices now considered unethical by many medical organizations. Meanwhile, denying coverage for puberty blockers and hormone therapy disregards widely accepted standards of care for transgender youth. Rather than advancing equity or protecting youth, this legislation would entrench discrimination and limit access to vital services supported by scientific consensus.