Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

In December, Washington state and D.C., and 20 other states sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) because the Trump regime once again targeted Trans youth and their oftentimes lifesaving healthcare. This came after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a “declaration” and falsely claimed that some gender-affirming care procedures are ineffective and unsafe. And on March 19, a federal court said it would rule in favor of the states. 

“This is a resounding win for the rights of youth, their families, and the rule of law when it comes to medical care,” Washington Attorney General (AG) Nick Brown said. “The court agrees that the administration ignored the law in its rush to deprive transgender youth of the health care they are legally entitled to.”

The “declaration” will be tossed out, and U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai said RFK Jr. overreached with his power, and that he’d grant the motion for summary judgement and a written order. AG Brown previously stated that RFK Jr. threatened to exclude about 6,000 providers from Medicaid and Medicare if they offered gender-affirming care, which was out of compliance with rule-making procedures. 

On Christmas Eve, AG Brown announced this lawsuit and mentioned that the “declaration” failed to provide a notice or comment process. 

“The law does not change on one man’s whim, and this care remains legal under federal and state law,” AG Brown said that day. “This action is as cruel and unnecessary as it is illegal, but consistent with an administration that puts politics above health.” 

Gender-affirming care in Washington state, Oregon, California, Hawai’i, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. will remain legal and protected. 

Feds, including HHS, Trump, and RFK Jr. have yet to comment on the ruling, as do other organizations like the Lavender Rights Project, Gender Justice League, and the Trevor Project.

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