A4TE Endorses Transgender Healthcare Access Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) announced its endorsement of the Transgender Health Care Access Act, a bill sponsored by Rep. Becca Balint of Vermont. Advocates for Trans Equality Health Policy Analyst, Sinead Murano-Kinney, released the following statement:

“Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) is proud to endorse Representative Balint’s Transgender Health Care Access Act. With this groundbreaking legislation, Representative Balint reaffirms her unwavering leadership in advancing the health and well-being of transgender individuals across all ages. 

“At a time when Congressional Republicans are actively spreading misinformation about transition-related healthcare and the transgender community at large, Representative Balint and her cosponsoring colleagues have taken a bold and necessary stand. This legislation does not merely defend medically necessary care—it firmly asserts that improved access to this care and the right to self-determination are fundamental public health priorities. 

“Unlike President Trump’s discriminatory and unconstitutional executive orders—many of which continue to be blocked in court— this bill confronts longstanding and systemic underinvestment in the training and development of medical and behavioral health providers who serve transgender patients. By directing the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to increase funding for education and training programs, this bill takes meaningful steps toward ensuring that healthcare providers are adequately equipped to meet the needs of transgender individuals. 

“This bill is an affirmative declaration of the importance of this care as a legitimate and valued public health priority – and one worthy of investment. It firmly declares that this care is a crucial and medically necessary aspect of healthcare delivery, which must be prioritized in order to properly serve patients. This bill also honors the providers who are already engaged in providing this care by affirming the value of this care and the value of the expertise that they demonstrate. 

“Representative Balint’s legislation is more than a message to her fellow lawmakers and to the public. The funding proposed by this legislation addresses many of the barriers to care that transgender people face, whether they are seeking out transition-related healthcare or culturally competent delivery of routine care by: 

• Expanding the workforce that serves transgender patients to create a more diverse and representative provider-base. 
• Addressing geographic disparities in access to culturally competent care, improving access to care for rural patients. 
• Fostering innovation that will lead to continued improvements to existing standards of care. 
• Improving the funding of community health centers and federally qualified health centers.

“Representative Balint’s commitment goes beyond words—her actions demonstrate a dedication to ensuring that trans and nonbinary individuals receive the healthcare they deserve, just like every other person in this country. A4TE is proud to stand with her in this fight. We urge all legislators who have not yet done so to co-sponsor this critical bill and stand on the right side of history.“