Protect Trans Health Care

President Trump has launched an all-out assault on the rights of trans people. His administration has tried almost everything possible to prevent trans people from getting the health care they need to live as their authentic selves.

The administration has proposed rules that will prohibit federal Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care for young people and also prohibit general hospitals that provide that care from receiving federal Medicare and Medicaid dollars. Even before these rules have gone into effect, some health care facilities – like NYU Langone – have discontinued vital care for trans people.

I’m writing to ask you to blunt these unprecedented attacks by passing two pieces of legislation.

The Gender-Affirming Care Access Program S.7924-A (Gonzalez) / A.8841-A (Gonzalez-Rojas) would create the first dedicated funding stream in New York State to support access to gender-affirming care. This funding stream is critical to ensure that trans people have access to and can afford life-saving care. It is included in the Senate’s one-house budget proposal and must be enacted in the final FY 2027 budget.

Another bill, S.9275 (Rivera) / A.6596-B (Rosenthal), would make crystal clear in the law that New York’s Medicaid program and private health insurance plans regulated by New York are required to cover medically necessary gender-affirming care. It would also strengthen anti-discrimination protections in health care for all protected classes.

This care is lifesaving. Study after study shows that transgender people who are affirmed in their genders feel safer in their communities, establish healthier relationships, and are better equipped to plan for their futures. In contrast, denying this support increases their risk for substance use, worsens symptoms of depression and anxiety, and gravely increases their risk for suicide.

The Trump presidency is an existential threat to TGNCNBI people. Trump and his allies have made clear their ultimate aim is to erase transgender people from public life. In this moment, you must do everything you can to protect TGNCNBI New Yorkers and make sure they can access the care they need.