Protect access to gender affirming healthcare

The House spending bill provision banning Medicaid coverage for all gender affirming transition-related care threatens health outcomes for over 152,000 transgender Americans reliant on Medicaid. Losing access to gender-affirming surgeries and hormones (which often costs tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket) could force many trans people into high risk situations like using untested treatments, gender based violence, or traumatic medical detransition making them vulnerable to both physical and emotional harm. Claims that cuts to gender affirming care was only meant to "protect" minors quickly escalated to denying gender affirming care to all trans people. This could easily affect anyone on Medicaid who relies on any form of hormone treatment or medically necessary surgical procedures. This policy alarmingly disregards state coverage mandates and escalates attacks on trans people's rights while exacerbating healthcare barriers for everyone. Immediate and vocal support for access to gender affirming care is crucial to remove this discriminatory provision that jeopardizes healthcare services that are essential for the survival of all Americans on Medicaid. We expect our representatives to safeguard Medicaid for all and to advocate for the well-being of our beloved transgender friends and family by supporting vital gender affirming care. In doing so, you protect access to Medicaid for all Americans.