How will gender affirming care change under a Trump administration?
Changes in laws or regulations could significantly impact access to gender-affirming treatments, like hormone therapy and gender affirming surgeries, in a few key ways:
Restricting Providers: Some laws may limit which healthcare providers can offer gender-affirming treatments or restrict facilities from providing certain services. For example, new laws could prohibit gender-affirming care in state-funded clinics or for patients under a certain age.
Insurance Limitations: Changes could affect insurance coverage for gender-affirming treatments, either by blocking coverage for certain procedures or entirely removing coverage for gender-affirming care. This may lead to higher out-of-pocket costs and limit access for those relying on insurance.
Out-of-State Care Challenges: For patients who need to travel to states where gender-affirming care remains accessible, new laws may impose penalties for seeking care out of state or could even limit how telemedicine can be used to access care across state lines.
Increased Barriers to Hormone Therapy Access: Some states might require additional steps for accessing hormone therapy, such as mandatory counseling or longer waiting periods. This could delay care and place extra financial and emotional strain on patients.
Documentation Requirements: New laws could make it harder to update gender markers on IDs or medical records, which can impact continuity of care and privacy.
These potential changes underscore the importance of staying informed about shifting policies and exploring ways to secure continuity of care, such as connecting with advocacy groups, maintaining supportive documentation, and working closely with healthcare providers.
