Governor Newsom Vetoes Bill to Improve Access to Gender-Affirming Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2024

CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057/MOBILE: (213) 355-3057/EMAIL:[email protected]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Equality California and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California are disappointed by Governor Newsom's veto of Assembly Bill 2442 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur - co-sponsored legislation that would have required the expedited processing of licensure applications for medical and mental health providers who demonstrate a commitment to offering gender-affirming care within their licensed scope of practice. A signature on AB 2442 would have built on California's long-standing nationwide leadership on LGBTQ+ rights by significantly improving access to care for transgender individuals in California and across the country - which is critical to their safety, health, and well-being.

Transgender individuals are more likely to experience adverse health outcomes than their cisgender peers, in part due to stigma, discrimination, and a lack of affirming healthcare providers. AB 2442 would have strengthened California's existing network of affirming healthcare providers and helped to reduce the barriers to care - ensuring that transgender individuals have equitable access to the essential care they need and deserve.

Additionally, as of August 2024, nearly 40% of transgender youth in the U.S. are living in 26 states that have passed bans on gender-affirming care. Some states - such as Oklahoma, Texas, and South Carolina - have even considered banning care for transgender adults. AB 2442 was a necessary response to protect access to care for out-of-state patients who are often forced to seek care in California due to restrictive policies in their home states.

"We are deeply disappointed in Governor Newsom's decision to veto AB 2442, which would have helped to ensure that the Golden State remains a safe haven for transgender people and their families across the country," said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. "As more states enact draconian healthcare bans, California has seen an influx in transgender youth and their families traveling to our state seeking such care and resources. Understandably, this has strained an already overburdened provider network in California. AB 2442 provided a common-sense solution - expediting licensure for those providers with a demonstrated commitment to offering gender-affirming care - to strengthen California's existing provider network and protect access to care for out-of-state patients. We are grateful to Assemblymember Zbur for championing this important measure. We remain committed to ensuring that transgender people in California and across the country can access the essential health care they need."

AB 2442 would not have changed licensing requirements or undermined existing California standards - it would only have expedited the licensure application process to avoid unnecessary delays and get providers working in California as soon as possible. The bill would have also improved access to care for transgender Californians who often must wait months on end to access the care they need, given the limited number of affirming providers available.

"I'm deeply disappointed by Governor Newsom's decision to veto AB 2442, a critical bill aimed at expanding access to gender-affirming care by expediting medical licensures. The inability of TGI people to access medically necessary health care due to a lack of providers and resources is not just troubling - it's a crisis. Transgender individuals and their loved ones outside California are increasingly criminalized by their home states, with their care often banned due to the harmful misinformation propagated by MAGA-led legislatures. This tragic reality is driving many to seek refuge in California, which stands as a beacon of hope for so many," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "I respect Governor Newsom's commitment to healthcare equity and look forward to working with him on strategies to bolster and support our healthcare workforce to meet the urgent needs of these patients. The time for action is now - because gender-affirming healthcare is scarce and under attack."

While we acknowledge the concerns the Governor outlined in his veto of AB 2442, this would not have been the first time that California has expedited licensure applications to address a gap in access for vulnerable California patients, as well as anticipated rise in out-of-state patients seeking health care. In 2022, Governor Newsom signed legislation that expedited the licensure process for abortion providers in anticipation of increased demand following the Dobbs decision. AB 2442 would have applied this same level of foresight and urgency to gender-affirming care.

"Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is deeply disappointed by Governor Newsom's veto of AB 2442. Across the country, bodily autonomy and trans health care is under attack and the need to protect and expand access to life-saving, gender-affirming care has never been more urgent. Transgender individuals deserve equal access to the care they need, and this bill would have been a significant step towards ensuring there are providers trained and ready in California to serve them," said PPAC CEO and President Jodi Hicks. "Planned Parenthood in California is proud to provide gender-affirming care to thousands of patients annually, and we are committed to continuing to work alongside the Governor, the Legislature, EQCA, and our partners to strengthen the network of gender-affirming care providers in California and improve the patient experience for our state's most vulnerable communities."

###

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.