Health Coverage and Care for Transgender People — Threats and Opportunities

This perspective examines the evolving landscape of health coverage and care for transgender individuals in the United States, highlighting both progress and persistent barriers. The authors discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's Bostock decision, which extended Title VII protections to gender identity, on employer-based insurance coverage for gender-affirming treatments. However, systemic challenges remain, including coverage exclusions, provider shortages, and policy fluctuations under different administrations. The article underscores the life-saving importance of gender-affirming care, citing improved mental health outcomes and reduced suicidality. It calls for legislative action to solidify protections and expand access, while emphasizing the medical community's role in creating inclusive care environments. The piece also addresses ongoing legal threats, including potential ACA rollbacks, and the need for sustained advocacy to ensure equitable healthcare for transgender populations.

This perspective examines the evolving landscape of health coverage and care for transgender individuals in the United States, highlighting both progress and persistent barriers. The authors discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's Bostock decision, which extended Title VII protections to gender identity, on employer-based insurance coverage for gender-affirming treatments. However, systemic challenges remain, including coverage exclusions, provider shortages, and policy fluctuations under different administrations. The article underscores the life-saving importance of gender-affirming care, citing improved mental health outcomes and reduced suicidality. It calls for legislative action to solidify protections and expand access, while emphasizing the medical community's role in creating inclusive care environments. The piece also addresses ongoing legal threats, including potential ACA rollbacks, and the need for sustained advocacy to ensure equitable healthcare for transgender populations.