health
Trump administration sued for blocking insurance coverage of gender-affirming healthcare
Coverage for gender-affirming care is no longer covered by federal plans, and workers must pay out of pocket
TL;DR
- Federal employees and their families are suing the Trump administration for blocking insurance coverage of gender-affirming healthcare.
- The lawsuit argues the prohibition violates Title VII, which protects against sex discrimination.
- Federal insurance plans, covering about 8.3 million people, stopped covering gender-affirming care in January, with limited exceptions.
- An estimated 39,400 federal enrollees are affected by the ban.
- Affected individuals are forced to pay for treatments, including routine visits and hormone therapy, out-of-pocket, with some leaving their jobs.
- The Human Rights Campaign Foundation states that denying this medically necessary care is discriminatory and can be life-saving.
- Confusion exists around temporary exceptions for 'mid-treatment' coverage, leaving insurers to interpret what is covered.