UPDATE: Corewell Health Reverses Decision to Limit Gender-Affirming Care
Move comes after 40+ local LGBTQ+ orgs called on health system to reconsider ban on new patients
Feb. 12, 2025 Update: Equality Michigan has welcomed Corewell Health's swift reversal of its gender-affirming care restrictions for new patients. The health system's initial decision had briefly made it the first in Michigan to limit such services.
"We see this decision as one that's family-centered, equality-centered, and science-centered," said Executive Director Erin Knott in a statement. "The pain and confusion endured by families and young people who had appointments cancelled was tragic and avoidable. The best time to make the right decision was yesterday, but the next best time to make the right decision was today. So, we extend a thank you to the Corewell leadership team for righting the ship."
In a powerful show of solidarity, over 40 Michigan organizations joined forces to challenge Corewell Health's recent decision to restrict gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The open letter, spearheaded by Equality Michigan and released Feb. 11, called for an immediate reversal of the healthcare system's policy changes.
The coalition, which includes prominent Southeast Michigan organizations like LGBT Detroit, Affirmations and the Ruth Ellis Center, emphasized that Corewell Health's actions could have devastating consequences for transgender youth and their families across the state.
"The health, safety and lives of transgender young people are at risk," the letter read, highlighting the critical nature of maintaining access to what it describes as "lifesaving, essential, evidence-based gender-affirming care."
The letter drew significant legal backing from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's recent guidance, which clarified that healthcare facilities must comply with Michigan's anti-discrimination laws, regardless of federal funding considerations. These laws explicitly protect individuals based on gender identity and expression.
Several Southeast Michigan-based organizations had taken leading roles in this advocacy effort. PFLAG Detroit and PFLAG Clinton Township, along with Detroit Disability Power and the NAACP Michigan State Conference, added their voices to the campaign, underscoring the intersectional nature of this healthcare access issue.
The letter warned that allowing such restrictions could set a dangerous precedent: "If health care for transgender people can be denied across the country without due process, without legislative action and without the scrutiny of the courts, tomorrow, we could see similarly contrived assaults on the bodily autonomy of women and girls, access lifesaving treatments for HIV or any other matter at the intersection of health care and individual rights."
Corktown Health, a Detroit-based LGBTQ+ focused healthcare provider, joined the coalition in emphasizing the medical community's ethical principle to "do no harm" and the importance of maintaining vital treatment for young people currently under care.
The open letter, addressed to Corewell Health's Board of Directors and Executive Leadership in Grand Rapids, represented one of the largest coordinated responses to healthcare policy changes affecting the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan's recent history. It demonstrated the strong network of support and advocacy organizations working to protect healthcare access for transgender youth across the state.
As this situation develops, local LGBTQ+ organizations are encouraging community members to reach out to their nearest LGBTQ+ community center for support and resources. Affirmations in Ferndale, Stand with Trans, Transgender Michigan and other local organizations maintain dedicated support services for transgender individuals and their families navigating healthcare challenges.
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