By Farrah Dodes
PFLAG Los Angeles – the LA chapter of the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for and with LGBTQ+ people and those who love them –is deeply concerned by the U.S. House of Representatives’ advancement of two bills that would restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary young people and interfere in private medical decisions.
Healthcare decisions should be made by families and medical professionals, not politicians. Said policies that restrict access to gender-affirming care disregard medical expertise, undermine parental involvement, and create additional barriers for transgender young people who deserve support and stability.
One measure, H.R. 498, would prohibit federally funded healthcare programs from covering gender-affirming care for transgender youth, disproportionately affecting low-income families and limiting access to medically necessary care based solely on gender identity.
A second measure, H.R. 3492, advances broader restrictions on gender-affirming care by allowing government intervention in decisions that are typically made by families in consultation with licensed healthcare providers. Taken together, these bills represent a significant shift toward government involvement in personal medical care.
Medical experts and leading healthcare organizations recognize gender-affirming care as evidence-based treatment that supports the health and well-being of transgender youth. Limiting access to this care is associated with increased risks of anxiety, depression, and other negative mental health outcomes.
PFLAG Los Angeles remains concerned about legislation that singles out transgender people and places unnecessary obstacles between patients and their healthcare providers. Such measures contribute to stigma and uncertainty for families already navigating complex medical decisions.
Transgender youth deserve to grow up in environments where they are supported and affirmed. We encourage policymakers to focus on approaches that promote the health, safety, and well-being of all young people and respect the role of families and doctors in making healthcare decisions.
PFLAG Los Angeles will continue its mission to support LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies through education, advocacy, and community connection, and to elevate policies grounded in compassion, science, and respect for human dignity.
Farrah Dodes is the president of PFLAG LA.