Existing barriers to trans health care exacerbated by political fight, advocates say

Tennessee Republicans, in introducing their first bill for the 2023 legislative session on Wednesday, argued that gender-affirming medical procedures were being administered to those under 18 with “rapidly increasing frequency.” But health care for people who are transgender, especially children, has never been simple, widely accessible or affordable, advocates told the Post. 

Jace Wilder, education manager for the Tennessee Equality Project, has been insured on and off throughout his transition, he said. Because he was uninsured, he went to Planned Parenthood and was able to access hormone therapy with sliding scale payments. He experienced hormone imbalance and interruptions in his treatment because he couldn’t get appointments in a timely manner. After six months without testosterone, he switched to another area clinic. Planned Parenthood declined to comment for this story.