Prevent Sex Discrimination in Healthcare Coverage in California

SB 418 (Menjivar) will explicitly prohibit a health plan or a health insurance provider from denying coverage or denying benefits to a person based upon their race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex – including sex characteristics such as intersex traits, pregnancy, and gender identity. In preventing discrimination in healthcare coverage, SB 418 would protect anyone who is subject to discrimination, generally, and sex stereotyping, specifically, from losing coverage or being denied benefits based on sex. Sex stereotyping includes the labeling of a person’s appearance and/or actions as problematic based on reductive and unscientific beliefs about sex and gender.   Creating an environment where all individuals can express their identities without fear is foundational to a strong democracy.     Enactment of SB 418 will help advance this directive, protecting against discrimination in the coverage of health care based on sex, while also sending a powerful message of support to the LGBTQ+ community, affirming that their needs matter: SB 418 protects coverage for gender affirming care, such as hormone therapy, cosmetic procedures, or psychological support, at a moment when the provision of this care may be newly challenged, based on federal attempts to re-litigate and limit the definition of sex. Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, endorse gender-affirming care as essential for the well-being of transgender and nonbinary adults and young people. Numerous studies show that gender-affirming care significantly improves mental health outcomes for members of the transgender and nonbinary communities. SB 418 aligns California with best practices and recommendations from leading health authorities, ensuring that our policies reflect the latest medical evidence and ethical standards.   Furthermore, we hold firm that all individuals deserve access to the healthcare and mental health care that they need regardless of their sex traits or gender identity.    We maintain our strong support and gratitude for SB 418, and we respectfully request your signature on this important measure.