Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Youth
2023
This report from the Williams Institute explores the impact of state laws restricting transgender youths’ access to gender-affirming care. As of March 2023, 30 states have restricted or are considering restricting access to care. Legislation typically includes penalties for health care providers and sometimes families, and several of the laws prevent insurance companies from offering coverage for care. The report estimates that 77,900 transgender youth live in states that have banned or restricted access to gender-affirming care, and 68,400 transgender youth are at risk for losing access to gender-affirming services. With previous evidence clearly linking increased access to affirming services to lower odds of suicidal ideation and better mental health, the national trend of conservative legislation also raises serious questions about the impact on adolescent mental health.
Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Youth
Source:
Konron KJ et al. Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Youth. The Williams Institute 2023. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/bans-trans-youth-health-care.