Statement from Shijuade Kadree, Chief Advocacy Officer at The Center

The Center condemns the Trump administration’s proposed rollback of existing health care protections, which would undermine longstanding civil rights laws and encourage health care workers and insurers to discriminate against nearly 2 million transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary (TGNCNB) people in the United States. Of the disturbing regulations that have been announced this month, one proposal would permit health care workers to refuse to provide or be involved in an array of critical health care services, including giving vaccinations or performing abortions, based on religious beliefs. The other undermines non-discrimination protections in the Health Care Rights Law, making it easier for health care providers to deny care because a patient is transgender.

TGNCNB people already experience alarmingly high levels of discrimination when seeking medical attention, resulting in significant health disparities. These proposals support discriminatory barriers that put the lives of TGNCNB people at risk simply because of who they are. In a long line of targeted anti-trans policies and rhetoric, these proposals are yet another reminder of the transphobia and bigotry that continues to permeate the policies of this administration.

The Center stands alongside civil and human rights organizations nationwide in the fight to maintain and restore protections for TGNCNB people and all marginalized communities who experience unequal access to health coverage and health care. We encourage you to join us:

• Contact your elected officials and let them know that you staunchly oppose the proposals to roll back vital health care protections for transgender people. Urge them to publicly disavow these efforts, and express their support for the TGNCNB communities at risk.
• Become part of The Center’s effort to strengthen protections for TGNCNB people in New York State by visiting gaycenter.org/advocacy or texting RISEOUT to 69866.