Submit Public Comments

Protect Trans Youth Healthcare

The federal government has proposed two new rules that could make it virtually impossible for transgender youth to get the health care they need. These proposed rules would:

Block Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-affirming care for transgender youth; and
Punish hospitals and providers that offer this care by threatening their ability to participate in Medicare and Medicaid altogether.

If finalized, these rules would block hospitals and doctors from providing gender-affirming care to youth across the country. They would also take away public funding like Medicaid and CHIP from kids who rely on that coverage to access best practice, medically necessary care.

Furthermore, not only would these proposals restrict youths’ access to gender-affirming care in the Medicaid and CHIP systems, but because almost every hospital in America receives this funding alongside Medicare, every one of them would have to cut off access to that care to continue receiving federal funding for other patients. This will impact all families seeking care for their trans children, regardless if they are doing so with public insurance, private insurance, or their own funds.

These rules are not final yet — and we have a chance to stop them. You can help by sending a public comment telling the government why this care matters and why these rules would hurt young people. Comments are due within the next 60 days and will not be reviewed if submitted after the deadline, so please act soon.

Additional support for writing your submission
Our coalition partners have created tools to help you submit strong, personal public comments that show how these rules would cause harm and limit access to affirming care. Unique lived experiences make the most powerful impact and strengthen our ability to influence these rules and challenge them later. Consider using this resource page alongside our example comment below to help craft your story, highlight the benefits of this care, and clearly state why you oppose these rules. Your voice matters — now is the time to use it.
Additional resources and support

Example Comment (You Can Edit)
I am writing to strongly oppose the government’s proposed rule that would limit access to essential, medically necessary care for transgender youth.
Gender-affirming care is real health care. It is safe, effective, and supported by every major medical organization in the United States. Medical providers across the country offer these services by following well-established, evidence-based standards of care, just like other medical treatments that have long been covered by federal programs. And, studies have consistently found that transgender youth who are able to receive care like access to hormonal treatments report positive outcomes, including increased well-being and decreased depression.
Medical professionals, not federal agencies, should be the people advising parents and their children about what kind of care is appropriate for their situation. Providers across the country already work to ensure health care is delivered to transgender youth in an age-appropriate manner following close consultation with medical and mental health professionals alongside parents. Taking access to this care away would harm the young people who need it most. The government’s proposal would directly lead to lasting harms, including increased depression and suicide risk, that no child deserves to experience.
The federal government should not be in the business of punishing states, hospitals, and other medical providers that help transgender youth. No medical provider should have to choose between doing the right thing and keeping their federal funding. Many families, including those with low incomes, rely on public insurance like Medicaid or CHIP to get this care — and they should not be cut off from these essential lifelines for helping their children live and thrive.
I urge you to rescind this proposal immediately and instead take the necessary steps to protect, not limit, access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
Thank you.

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Check any points that match your views:

Gender-affirming care is real health care and can save lives.

Families and doctors — not politicians — should make health decisions.

Major medical groups support gender-affirming care.

These rules would hurt families who rely on Medicaid and CHIP.

Trans youth already face bullying, depression, and anxiety — and taking away care makes things worse.

Hospitals should not be punished for caring for their patients.

These rules are based on false or misleading information about gender-affirming care

Please confirm the commenting opportunities you’d like us to submit your comment in response to (select one or both):

Proposal to Block Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

Proposal to Punish hospitals and providers that offer gender-affirming care to youth by threatening their ability to participate in Medicare and Medicaid altogether.

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