SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the United States Department of Health and Human Services announced two proposed rules limiting gender affirming care. One regulation would prohibit federal Medicaid funds from being used to provide care to transgender youth under age 18. The other regulation would prohibit hospitals that receive Medicare and Medicaid funds from providing care to transgender youth under age 19.
While acknowledging the callousness of the Trump Administration’s latest action, Rep. Leigh Finke (DFL – Saint Paul) wants to assure Minnesotans they can continue to access gender affirming care.
“This is just the latest attempt of the Trump Administration to dehumanize and degrade our vulnerable community. To every transgender person or person who has a transgender loved one, the most important thing you need to know is that these callous proposals will not prevent you from receiving care from your doctor. Minnesota has and will continue to defend your right to receive medically necessary care. The Trump Administration does not have unilateral authority to change that,” said Rep. Finke. “These rules aren’t only cruel, they are anti-science and ignore all relevant research that shows that gender affirming care is essential. They can attack us, but they cannot erase us. Trans, two-spirit and nonbinary people young and old deserve peace, love, and access to healthcare.”
Rep. Finke is available to provide additional context and detail the full extent of the impact of these rules. Interested press should reach out to Thomas Olsen by email at thomas.olsen@house.mn.gov or by phone at (952) 807-3738 to schedule an interview.
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