1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Recent trends in federal and state-level actions challenging the legality of diversity, equity, and inclusivity have created uncertainty about the future of nondiscrimination protections in healthcare. There have also been moves to restrict access to gender affirming care. These shifts at the federal level, and in some states, have led major healthcare institutions to scale back important research, services, and training.  In preventing discrimination in healthcare coverage, AB 1876 would protect anyone who is subject to discrimination, generally, and sex stereotyping, specifically, from losing coverage or being denied benefits based on sex, regardless of shifts in federal interpretations of nondiscrimination. Sex stereotyping includes the labeling of a person’s appearance and/or actions as problematic (e.g. “not feminine enough”) based on reductive and unscientific beliefs about sex and gender, something that has consistently impacted gender marginalized communities, including pregnant people.    This bill will also specifically increase protections for the transgender and gender diverse communities, providing necessary safeguards for these communities at a moment when they are facing increasingly steep barriers for accessing safe and affordable healthcare across the United States, and at a moment in which California and its providers are also being pressured to roll back inclusive and equitable healthcare access.  LGBTQ+ communities deserve equal access to critical healthcare. Some community members are being denied proper support. At the same time, uncertainty about access itself is creating a myriad of new health risks. AB 1876 would send a powerful message of support through tangibly ensuring healthcare access and benefit coverage in a number of ways, something that is truly critical at this social and political moment.