Statement by Los Angeles LGBT Center: Trans People Deserve Care, Not Political Attacks
–
New federal rule restricting Medicaid and CHIP funding threatens access to medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth and families nationwide.
–
LOS ANGELES, August 11, 2026 — Following the Trump administration’s final rule released today restricting federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding for medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth, Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner has issued the following statement:
“The Trump administration’s decision to restrict federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-affirming medical care for minors is yet another cruel and dangerous attack on transgender young people and their families. Instead of working to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, this administration is abusing its federal authority to interfere in deeply personal decisions that belong to young people, their families, and the medical providers they trust.
Medicaid and CHIP are lifelines for millions of children and families across the country. This rule will create additional barriers to the care transgender young people need, particularly families with lower incomes who rely on these programs for their healthcare.
Healthcare should be guided by science, medical expertise, and the individual needs of patients, not political ideology. Decades of research demonstrate that gender-affirming care for transgender youth is safe, effective, and beneficial. Every major U.S. medical and mental health associations support access to this care, which is guided by careful assessment, family decision-making, and ongoing evaluation.
At a time when the federal government continues to dismantle protections for transgender people and their access to healthcare, California has chosen a different path. The Los Angeles LGBT Center, in coalition with other community partners, and the California LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, worked to secure millions of dollars in our state budget in anticipation of this harmful rule and others like it. These historic investments,approved by Governor Newsom in June, ensure California has state resources available to protect access to gender affirming medical care as federal Medicaid and CHIP funding is withdrawn.
At the Los Angeles LGBT Center, we know that transgender young people deserve the same opportunity as every young person to live healthy and fulfilling lives. We will continue fighting alongside our partners to protect access to healthcare for transgender youth and their families.”
It is important to note that today’s ruling does not impact federal funding related to mental health services for transgender youth, nor does it change any state rules or protections. Gender-affirming medical care remains legal and protected in California. This rule will not go into effect until October 13, 2026, and we anticipate that it will be challenged in court.
###
About the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today, the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBTQ+ people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBTQ+ people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.