Federal Actions Threaten Gender-Affirming Care Access in Michigan
Recent government moves raise concerns for transgender youth healthcare rights in Michigan, nationwide
Equality Michigan released a news release on April 23 warning that while gender-affirming care is still accessible in Michigan, recent federal actions threaten that access.
"Let me start by saying that gender affirming care is essential, safe, and legal here in Michigan. But we need to fight to keep it that way," Executive Director Erin Knott said in the release.
Knott expressed concern about an April 11 letter from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services that encourages states to ban Medicaid coverage of care for transgender youth. The letter suggests providers offering gender-affirming care could face penalties under Medicaid funding rules.
The Department of Health and Human Services further escalated the situation on April 14 by launching a whistleblower form to report providers of gender-affirming care, according to Knott.
"This is part of a coordinated agenda to intimidate healthcare institutions into compliance," Knott wrote in the news release.
These federal actions, while not legally binding, could potentially disrupt healthcare access if Michigan institutions choose to comply with what Knott describes as an "unlawful agenda."
Knott emphasized that the guidance represents "extreme political overreach into the personal lives of American families" and reminded healthcare providers that "institutions are not required to comply."
Equality Michigan is responding by collecting reports of care disruptions through a secure reporting form, co-hosting a virtual event with Planned Parenthood of Michigan on May 1 titled "The State of Gender Affirming Care in Michigan" and encouraging community members to spread awareness.
"We will not stand by while LGBTQ+ youth are used as political pawns," Knott wrote. "Now is the time to fight back against any attacks on trans youth with solidarity and unwavering support. Because an attack against their freedom and safety is an attack on all of our freedom and safety."
Those who experience or hear about disruptions to gender-affirming care in Michigan, such as canceled appointments, blocked prescriptions or delayed referrals, can report these issues through Equality Michigan's secure reporting form at equalitymi.org/report-care-disruption.
To register for the virtual event "The State of Gender Affirming Care in Michigan" on Thursday, May 1, co-hosted by Equality Michigan and Planned Parenthood of Michigan, visit equalitymi.org/events/gender-affirming-care.
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