Federal Employees Challenge Policy on Gender-Affirming Care
A group of federal employees is taking a stand against a new policy that removes coverage for gender-affirming healthcare in federal health insurance programs. This action highlights the ongoing struggles for equitable healthcare access, particularly for transgender individuals. The complaint was filed against the Trump administration as the policy came into effect at the start of the new year.
The Class Action Complaint
On January 1, 2026, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation submitted the class action complaint on behalf of the affected federal employees. The complaint names the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as a defendant. In a letter issued in August, the OPM announced that starting in 2026, coverage for “chemical and surgical modification of an individual’s sex traits through medical interventions” would no longer be available to federal employees and US postal workers.
Allegations of Discrimination
The core argument of the complaint is that the new policy discriminates based on sex. The plaintiffs are calling for the policy to be revoked and are seeking financial compensation for economic damages along with other forms of relief. Should this issue remain unresolved with the OPM, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation plans to escalate the matter by pursuing claims with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and potentially moving forward with a federal class action lawsuit.
Related Legal Challenges
Additionally, a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general has recently initiated a separate lawsuit aimed at blocking proposed regulations that would restrict children’s access to gender-affirming care. This reflects a broader struggle against the Trump administration’s initiatives to roll back legal protections for transgender individuals. The current framework also includes proposals from US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., suggesting that hospitals offering gender-affirming treatments to minors could be denied Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements, as well as funding from the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Conclusion
The fight over healthcare coverage for gender-affirming care for federal employees not only underscores the challenges faced by the transgender community but also brings to light the numerous legal disputes unfolding at various levels of government. As the situation evolves, advocates remain vigilant in their efforts to secure equitable healthcare access for all.
- A federal class action complaint was filed against a policy eliminating gender-affirming care coverage.
- The OPM has stated that such medical interventions will no longer be covered as of 2026.
- The complaint seeks to address alleged discrimination and financial damages.
- Related lawsuits are aiming to protect access to gender-affirming care for children.