1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about recent efforts to include anti-transgender provisions in negotiations over extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. As your constituent, I urge you to stand firmly against any attempts to use trans healthcare as a bargaining chip in these discussions. The proposal to bar federal dollars from covering gender-affirming care in ACA-subsidized plans is not just a policy issue—it's a matter of life and death for many in our community. These subsidies currently cover about 20 million Americans, including lower and middle-income families. Restricting access to essential gender-affirming care for transgender individuals relying on these plans would have devastating consequences. This is not a theoretical concern. We've already seen attempts to include similar anti-transgender measures in recent legislative negotiations, such as those surrounding the government shutdown. While the short-term continuing resolution (CR) thankfully did not include these harmful provisions, the fact that they continue to be proposed is deeply troubling. The impact of such restrictions would be far-reaching. Not only would it severely limit access to necessary medical care for transgender individuals, but it could also create conflicts with state laws that require coverage of gender-affirming care. This would put transgender people in an impossible position, forced to choose between affordable health coverage and the care they need to live authentically. I implore you to take a strong stance against any ACA subsidy deal that contains anti-transgender provisions. Our healthcare should not be used as a political bargaining tool. Trans lives are not negotiable. As your constituent, I ask you to publicly commit to protecting transgender rights and healthcare access in all upcoming negotiations. The decisions made now will have long-lasting effects on the lives of transgender Americans. Please stand up for equality, dignity, and the right to necessary medical care for all your constituents, regardless of their gender identity. Our community is watching, and we're counting on your leadership to protect our fundamental rights.