Diego Vasquez protested outside Kaiser Permanente's hospital against the halt of gender-affirming surgeries for young patients. He believes earlier access could have changed his life for the better. Kaiser’s decision aligns with similar closures at other institutions due to federal funding concerns after a Trump executive order banning care for those under 19. Gender-affirming care includes support for individuals’ identity through medical procedures. Opponents argue such treatments may be inappropriate for children due to potential long-term effects, raising significant debates around health care for transgender youth.
Diego Vasquez has received gender-affirming care since age 22 and believes access at a younger age could have improved his life. He states gender-affirming care "gives (youth) the will to live."
Kaiser Permanente announced it will halt gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 due to potential federal funding cuts, effective Aug. 29. This move follows similar actions by other health providers.
Opponents of gender-affirming care, including President Donald Trump, have labeled it as "mutilation" and argue that it may be too early for children to understand the permanent changes.
California law prohibits denial of services based on transgender status, but federal threats have forced providers to end services for young transgender individuals.
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