Trump Administration Reverses Obama-Era Health Care Protections For Transgender People

An attack on transgender rights has taken place by the hands of the Trump administration, once again. This policy shift has been discussed by Trump’s administration for quite some time now. But today, on the fourth anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting, the administration has furthered the ongoing attack on trans lives. This shift goes beyond denying trans patients access to trans-related care, this goes for all health related care. A transgender individual can be refused treatment on the basis of their identity. In the midst of a global pandemic, we cannot possibly know the extent of how dangerous this will be to the community. These new regulations will contribute to the deaths of trans people. There are no questions about it. Trans people already have struggled for so many years within the healthcare system that discriminates and humiliates them, but this regulation can deny them necessary care. This regulation puts BIPOC trans people in immediate danger, as the intersection between race and trans identity already places an enormous threat in this country. Trans people have been targeted since the beginning of this administration. The trans military ban, forcing trans women to be placed in men’s prisons, and the removal of protections for trans people to use public restrooms. The administration continues its efforts to endanger trans lives, and it is a terrifying reality. For people like me, losing access to trans related health care is a matter of life and death. Without access to hormones and gender confirming surgeries, transgender individuals are at risk of suicide. This human rights violation is going to put our lives at risk. This blatant medical neglect and continuous stripping of protections is a direct attack on the community. With as many protections that have been revoked, who knows what next is to come? Who knows what other possible threats are lurking around the corner for transgender individuals? It is difficult to say. This fear of losing everything, this fear of harm, this fear of attacks and discrimination is something trans people have to carry all their lives, and it is only getting much, much worse. Now is the time to speak out against this blatant attack on the trans community, do not let your trans friends battle through this alone. Stand with us. Speak up. Demand justice.

You can learn more about these new regulations here:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/12/868073068/transgender-health-protections-reversed-by-trump-administration