Subject: Oakland’s Commitment To Gender-Affirming Care From: Councilmembers Unger, Brown, And Wang Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Reaffirming Oakland’s Commitment To The Right Of Its Transgender, Gender-Nonconforming, Intersex And Two-Spirit (TGNCL2S) Residents And Employees To Obtain Gender-Affirming Care Without Discrimination; And Demanding Healthcare Providers And Insurance Carriers Operating Within The City To Adhere To State And Local Laws Mandating Access To Medically Necessary Healthcare, Including Gender-Affirming Care
Summary
This resolution, introduced by Councilmembers Unger, Brown, and Wang, reaffirms Oakland's commitment to ensuring transgender, gender-nonconforming, intersex, and two-spirit (TGNCL2S) residents and employees have access to gender-affirming care without discrimination. It specifically addresses recent federal proposals from the Trump administration that threaten to restrict access to such care, particularly for youth, by potentially limiting Medicare and Medicaid funding for hospitals providing these services.
The resolution highlights that gender-affirming care is medically necessary and life-saving, citing studies showing improved mental health outcomes for recipients. It notes that major healthcare providers in Oakland, such as Kaiser Oakland, have already begun limiting access to certain gender-affirming surgeries for minors.
Key Demands and Reaffirmations:
- Oakland reaffirms the right of all TGNCL2S residents and employees to access gender-affirming care under existing local and state protections.
- The City Council demands that healthcare providers and insurance carriers serving Oakland adhere to state and local laws mandating access to medically necessary healthcare, including gender-affirming care.
- The resolution condemns any healthcare providers or insurance carriers preemptively stopping, delaying, or impeding access to state-protected, medically necessary gender-affirming care before federal regulations are fully implemented.
- Copies of the resolution will be sent to state officials, including Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta, to demonstrate solidarity with California's efforts to protect access to gender-affirming healthcare.
The resolution passed with a unanimous vote (AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND PRESIDENT JENKINS).