07.28.25
We are deeply dismayed by Kaiser Permanente’s decision to pause gender-affirming surgeries for youth under 19—not because of medical evidence, but in response to pressure from the Trump Administration. This politically motivated interference places transgender and nonbinary youth directly in harm’s way.
Gender-affirming care is lifesaving. It’s supported by every major medical association in the U.S. and has been proven to reduce depression and suicide risk among transgender youth. All surgical interventions and decisions surrounding gender-affirming care are deeply personal and involve a deliberate, multi-step process guided by medical professionals, families, and the young people themselves. These are not decisions that should be dictated by elected officials, DOJ subpoenas, or political agendas. They belong to patients, families, and the physicians who care for them.
This policy change reflects a broader and deeply troubling trend: institutions retreating from essential services not because they are required by law, but out of fear of federal administration retribution, which represents a failure to uphold the basic promise of equitable access for all. It sends a dangerous signal that intimidation works and that trans lives are negotiable. Providers and institutions must resist political coercion and center the health, dignity, and humanity of those they serve.
We urge Kaiser and all healthcare systems to resist political coercion and restore full access to comprehensive care for all their members. Transgender people should not be caught in the crossfire of political agendas. They deserve care that is rooted in compassionate, evidence-based care, and free from fear. The Sacramento LGBT Community Center will continue to advocate until every young person can access the affirming healthcare they are entitled to without delay, disruption, or discrimination.