Safeguarding Gender-Affirming Care in an Era of Uncertainty: Lessons From Massachusetts

Authors

  • Sarah M. Lipson Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65539/nnf0kf48

Keywords:

gender-affirming care, healthcare access, LGBTQIA+ health, healthcare policy, medical advocacy

Abstract

Despite Massachusetts' reputation as a medical safe haven with strong protections for gender-affirming care, recent federal policy changes have rapidly disrupted access. This article examines how Fenway Health and other federally qualified health centers were forced to discontinue gender-affirming care for minors, demonstrating that no institution is fully protected from federal policy shifts. The author argues that medical students must resist complacency and actively defend the systems that enable this essential care.

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References

1. Massachusetts. The Commonwealth Fund. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/datacenter/massachusetts (2025).

2. Campbell. Information for Massachusetts Healthcare Providers Regarding Gender-Affirming Care [Internet]. Office of Massachusetts. Available from: https://www.mass.gov/doc/information-for-ma-healthcare-providers-regarding-gender-affirming-care/download#:~:text=regulated%20health%20insurers?-,Yes.,Yes.

3. Legislature Strengthens Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Services. Press Room [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2025 Dec 3]. Available from: https://malegislature.gov/PressRoom/Detail?pressReleaseId=236

4. Shanks J. Sharing an Update About Our Care for Trans Health Patients Under 19 years of Age - Fenway Health [Internet]. Fenway Health. 2025 [cited 2025 Dec 3]. Available from: https://fenwayhealth.org/sharing-an-update-about-our-care-for-trans-health-patients-under-19-years-of-age/

5. Federal Rule Forces Difficult Change, But OCHS Commitment to LGBTQ+ Community Endures - Outer Cape Health Services [Internet]. [cited 2025 Dec 3]. Available from: https://www.outercape.org/2025/10/27/federal-rule-forces-difficult-change-but-ochs-commitment-to-lgbtq-community-endures/

6. Bebinger M. Some Massachusetts health centers stop trans care for minors. WBUR. 2025 [cited 2025 Dec 3]. Available from: https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/10/15/fenway-health-medical-care-halt-transgender-children-massachusetts

7. HHS Acts to Bar Hospitals from Performing Sex-Rejecting Procedures on Children [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2025 Dec 24]. Available from: https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-acts-bar-hospitals-performing-sex-rejecting-procedures-children.html

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Published

2025-12-25

How to Cite

Safeguarding Gender-Affirming Care in an Era of Uncertainty: Lessons From Massachusetts. (2025). Harvard Medical Student Review, 102(1), 19-21. https://doi.org/10.65539/nnf0kf48