Utah lawmaker moves to restrict transgender adults’ access to gender-affirming care

“Two years after Utah passed a ban on access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth, a GOP state lawmaker is proposing expanding restrictions to adults.

“A bill published Tuesday by Rep. Nicholeen Peck, R-Tooele, would prohibit any public funds from going toward gender-transition treatments and procedures, effectively blocking transgender Medicaid recipients from care, and potentially closing one of the largest transgender health programs in the state.”

“Utah joins several states that have seen bills introduced in the weeks following the order that would severely reduce adults’ access to gender-affirming care.

“Currently, according to LGBTQ+ rights-focused think tank Movement Advancement Project, 10 states have Medicaid policies that ban policies’ use toward transgender-related health care.”

“While Peck’s bill means transgender adults enrolled in Medicaid would not have insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, it would also make it more difficult for other transgender adults to access that care.

“University of Utah Health is the academic medical center for the state’s flagship university, and operates one of Utah’s most robust transgender health programs. Because the university is publicly funded, Peck’s bill would likely impact the program’s ability to continue.”

“The flood of bills proposing restrictions on transgender Utahns follows an election cycle in which House Speaker Mike Schultz funded an anti-transgender political action committee. The entity mailed and texted ads attacking Democratic lawmakers and candidates for their opposition to laws passed over the last three years that likewise limit transgender Utahns’ access to care and participation in everyday life.”