Press Release  AG Campbell Sues To Block Unlawful Attacks On Medically Necessary Health Care For Transgender Youth

Boston — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today co-led a coalition of 16 attorneys general and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in filing a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to use criminal and civil enforcement to restrict access to necessary health care for transgender, intersex, and nonbinary youth. The lawsuit targets recent federal actions aimed at deterring providers from offering medically appropriate care to individuals under age 19, even in states like Massachusetts where such care is legal and protected.  

“Medically necessary health care for transgender youth saves lives, and those health care decisions should be made by patients, families, and their providers – not by politicians,” said AG Campbell. “I will continue to fight back against illegal policies that harm our residents and violate their rights.”  

In their lawsuit, AG Campbell and the coalition argue that the Administration is overstepping its authority by using threats of criminal prosecution and federal investigations, including through requests for sensitive patient information, to pressure health care providers into limiting or ceasing medically necessary care for transgender adolescents. The coalition is asking the court to block these actions and protect access to care for patients who need it. 

On his first day in office, President Trump signed an Executive Order declaring that the United States would only recognize two sexes and calling for an end to federal support for what it called “gender ideology.” A second order, signed shortly after, focused on restricting medically necessary health care for youth. It defined everyone under 19 as a child, even though 18-year-olds are legal adults, and described recognized medical treatments as “chemical and surgical mutilation.” The order directed the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue enforcement actions related to this care. In response to this Executive Order, AG Campbell led a coalition of 14 other attorneys general to reaffirm their commitment to protecting access to medically necessary health care for transgender youth.  

Since then, DOJ has issued subpoenas to providers, demanded private patient data, and suggested that criminal charges may follow. The attorneys general argue that these efforts have no legal basis and are intended to discourage providers from offering lifesaving health care that is lawful under state law.  

The attorneys general warn that the Administration’s tactics are already having an impact. In some states, providers have begun to reduce or eliminate services, and patients are reporting canceled appointments and confusion about whether they can continue their care. The lawsuit seeks to prevent further harm and to ensure that transgender youth and their families can access care without being targeted by the federal government. 

Medical experts, including every major national medical association, agree that medical care is not only necessary for many transgender young people, in some cases it is lifesaving. Denying this care has been shown to worsen mental health outcomes, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. 

The coalition argues that the Administration’s actions violate the Constitution, exceed federal authority, and undermine state laws that regulate medical care and require equal access to medical treatment. In Massachusetts, laws protect patients from discrimination based on gender identity, and health care providers are required to treat all patients fairly and without bias. The lawsuit asks the court to block the Administration’s actions and stop the enforcement of the Executive Order to deny medically necessary health care for transgender youth.  

Joining AG Campbell in filing this lawsuit, which she co-led with the attorneys general of New York, California, Illinois, and Connecticut, are the attorneys general of Delaware, Hawai’i, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the Governor of Pennsylvania. 

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