Families and Doctors Sue Over Trump’s Order to Halt Funding for Gender-Affirming Care
Seven Families and Organizations File Lawsuit
Seven families with transgender or nonbinary children, along with PFLAG, a national group for family of LGBTQ+ people, and GLMA, a doctors organization, have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive orders to narrowly define the sexes and halt federal support for gender-affirming health care for transgender people under age 19.
Trump’s Order Causes Chaos
The lawsuit comes one week after Trump signed an order calling for the federal government to stop funding the medical care through federal government-run health insurance programs, including Medicaid and TRICARE. The order has caused chaos for families who were already struggling to access gender-affirming care for their children.
Personal Stories
Kristen Chapman, the mother of one of the plaintiffs, said her family moved to Richmond, Virginia, from Tennessee in 2023 because of a ban on gender-affirming care in their home state. Her 17-year-old daughter, Willow, had an initial appointment scheduled for last week with a new provider who would accept Medicaid. But Trump signed his order the day before, and the hospital said it could not provide care.
Consequences
Brian Bond, the CEO of PFLAG, said that the organization is receiving a drumbeat of calls from parents whose kids’ care is being canceled. The ACLU and Lambda Legal, who are representing the plaintiffs, want a judge to put the order on hold, arguing that it is "unlawful and unconstitutional" because it seeks to withhold federal funds previously authorized by Congress and because it violates antidiscrimination laws.
Medical Community
The medical community is also speaking out against the order. Alex Sheldon, executive director of GLMA, said that there are established medical standards for caring for transgender youth. "Now, an extreme political agenda is trying to overrule that expertise, putting young people and their providers in danger," Sheldon said.
Conclusion
The lawsuit highlights the devastating impact of Trump’s order on families and the medical community. The order is not only unconstitutional but also harmful to the health and well-being of transgender youth. It is essential that the court puts a stop to this order and ensures that all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, have access to the medical care they need.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the lawsuit?
The lawsuit is seeking to halt Trump’s executive order that halts federal support for gender-affirming health care for transgender people under age 19. - Who are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit?
The plaintiffs include seven families with transgender or nonbinary children, PFLAG, and GLMA. - What is the impact of the order on families?
The order has caused chaos for families who were already struggling to access gender-affirming care for their children. Many families are being forced to cancel appointments and seek care outside of the Medicaid system. - What is the medical community’s stance on the order?
The medical community is speaking out against the order, arguing that it is harmful to the health and well-being of transgender youth.
