The House tax bill passed on Thursday aims to prohibit Medicaid coverage for all transgender care and remove such care from essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act, potentially impacting hundreds of thousands of transgender adults and minors. An amendment striking references to minors was added just before the vote, intensifying concerns from LGBTQ advocates who argue that these measures reflect animosity towards transgender individuals and may face legal challenges for violating equal protection rights. Critics emphasize that major medical associations support access to gender-affirming care, challenging the bill’s underlying claims about the safety and appropriateness of such treatments.
