Similar to trends in 2021 legislative sessions, states in 2022 will continue to examine health care services for transgender youth populations.
At least 20 states are pursuing legislation to limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. While legislation differs in each state, most of the proposed policies would make it an offense for a provider to perform gender-affirming care services to youth populations. In some of these states, providers who offer gender-affirming care can be subject to criminal charges. States considering limiting access to care for transgender youth include: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Legislation Protecting LGBTQ Populations
While many bills target access to care for transgender youth, some states have proposed legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
In addition, Hawaii is considering legislation to bar insurance companies from denying coverage on the basis of gender identity, and proposed legislation in Vermont would allow minors who identify as transgender to consent to receive hormones and nonsurgical, gender-affirming care and treatment without parental consent.
Contact Director of Policy Rob Nelb, MPH, at rnelb@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.