Dear Friends,
Please take the time to submit a public comment regarding the two proposed federal regulations targeting and severely restricting access to healthcare for transgender youth. If these rules pass, they will most likely lead to additional restrictions on all transgender care. As a thoughtful, concerned citizen, your submission, your voice, is urgently needed now, regardless of your experience in the trans world or in health care in order to have a record of opposition to this dangerous federal intrusion into health care.
MEDICAID and CHIP funding restrictions: This proposed rule would prevent federal funds from being used to pay for transition-related health care for youth covered by a state’s Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
HOSPITAL CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION RULE: This proposed rule seeks to require hospitals to cease providing transition-related care to individuals younger than 18 to maintain their federal Medicaid funding.
If these rules are finalized, healthcare providers and hospitals across the country could be forced to stop providing gender affirming health care to transgender youth altogether — regardless of whether families use public insurance, private insurance, or pay out of pocket. They would also take away federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for care that medical experts recognize as best practice and medically necessary.
These proposals are not final, and there is still time to stop them. Your comments are extremely important. Each submission makes a difference.
It is important that unique comments are submitted. Duplicate submissions based on a template will most likely be excluded from the record or given less weight, while individualized comments help document the real-world harms of these proposals. EACH COMMENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
Comments grounded in personal experience are especially impactful and help demonstrate what’s at stake — both in this process and in any future challenges to these rules.
If you do not have personal experience, please do not hesitate to submit your comments. Every voice is needed.
Please submit as soon as possible, and before February 17, 2026.
Please share this with your friends and allies in the few days we have left. THANK YOU! What follows is additional guidance from the LA LGBT Center on writing a submission:
Tips on format and outline for comments:
- Introduction: Introduce yourself and your connection to transgender health care. You can include things such as your profession or personal experiences.
- State your position on the proposed rule: It is important to clearly state that you do not support the proposed rule and do not want the government to restrict access to medical care for transgender youth.
- Explain why you care: This is your chance to talk about why preventing access to transgender health care is discriminatory and will lead to negative health outcomes for transgender youth. The federal government is taking away the rights of families, patients, and providers to make the best health care choices for transgender youth.
- Include unique, real-life information: You can share personal stories about the importance of having access to health care or about how transition-related care has affected your life or the life of someone you know. Use caution when sharing easily identifiable information, such as your full name or home address, in your public comment since the comments are viewable by everyone who visits the Federal Register.
Sample opening for your comment if this sample is helpful, change it up to make a unique comment!
My name is [Your Name unless you are submitting anonymously], and I have a deep connection to transgender healthcare through (my work if that is applicable) and personal experiences. I strongly oppose the proposed rule because restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth is harmful and discriminatory. These decisions should be made by families and medical professionals, not the government. Limiting care will lead to negative health outcomes, including increased mental health risks, and take away the rights of patients and providers to choose what is best for transgender youth. [Include your reasons why you care and include real-life information if that is available to you]
You may submit your comments directly through the Federal Registry or through the Equality California EQCA Public Comment Portal.
Note: HRC has closed their comments portal.
Remember, submit before Tuesday, February 17, and you will be SAVING LIVES.
With gratitude,
(your name)