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LA County to join legal efforts against sweeping proposal to restrict youth gender-affirming care
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis introduced the motion with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
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Samanta Helou Hernandez
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LAist
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Topline:
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to formally oppose the Trump administration’s attempts to cut off all Medicare and Medicaid funding to medical providers that offer gender-affirming care to youth.
The stakes: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services formally proposed the rules on Dec. 17, and they could take effect as soon as March. Legal experts say it will likely take longer due to legal challenges. NPR reported on a leaked version of the proposed rule changes in October.
About the move: The motion directs the L.A. County counsel to “file, join, and/or support” litigation against the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict gender-affirming care by cutting off CMS funding. It was introduced by supervisors Lindsay Horvath and Hilda Solis.
About the lawsuit: A coalition of 19 states, including California, and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit last month against the Department of Health and Human Services challenging the proposed rules. Advocates are also soliciting comments from the public to oppose the rule change.
What’s next: The proposal will need to go through a procedural comment period, which ends in February, before any decision is made on federal funding for hospitals and providers that offer gender-affirming care to youth under 19.
How are these federal moves changing L.A.? Listen to LAist’s episode of Imperfect Paradise on gender-affirming care in L.A.:
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Gender-affirming care for transgender youth is at risk in LA and nationwide
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