Today, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with the inclusion of violent language banning lifesaving gender-affirming care for young people. The NDAA now heads to the White House for approval. Dr. Jamila Perritt, President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in Washington DC responds:
“Earlier this month, hundreds of queer and trans individuals and their allies gathered outside the SCOTUS in a powerful display of resilience and joy during the oral arguments for United States v. Skrmetti. Amid the harmful rhetoric from the opposition, the rally, filled with love, care and fellowship, was a reminder of our collective power and voice. It was also a reminder that so much is still at stake and under attack from many different directions.
…the inclusion of restrictions on gender affirming care for service members’ dependents cannot be ignored.
“This week, that joy is met with a sense of urgency as we confront HR 5009, a provision in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would strip transgender military families’ access to lifesaving, essential medical care, like gender-affirming care. While the bill includes some positive gains for reproductive health care access, including the elimination of contraceptive copays for non-active duty service members and their dependents, the inclusion of restrictions on gender affirming care for service members’ dependents cannot be ignored. Slipping harmful language into larger bills, disguising cruelty as care, and exploiting the public’s trust to enact oppressive policies is immoral, unethical, and unacceptable. These tactics are part of an insidious, intentional campaign of legislative attacks targeting trans rights, aiming to divide our communities and erode basic human rights all under the guise of ‘good governance.’
Gender-affirming care is safe, necessary, and lifesaving. Period.
“Gender-affirming care is safe, necessary, and lifesaving. Period. As a medical professional, I know the consequences of denying people the care they need. These consequences include worsened mental and physical health outcomes, avoidable medical crises, drastic shifts in our health care landscape, and unnecessary suffering for the most vulnerable members of our communities. Families of military service members have made it clear: this discriminatory provision forces them to choose between their children’s well-being and their careers, therefore compromising military readiness, morale, and our nation’s security. This amendment diminishes the advancements toward equity for LGBTQIA community, ultimately compromising decades of progress for LGBTQIA service members and their families. These bills are Trojan horses, not only for the destruction of individual freedoms but for the systemic dismantling of health equity.
…this discriminatory provision forces them to choose between their children’s well-being and their careers…
“In this time, we need to remember that the fight for reproductive justice and the fight for trans liberation are not separate struggles—they are deeply connected. Both movements demand bodily autonomy, dignity, and the right to access compassionate, evidence-based health care, free from political interference. We are fighting for the same future: one where every person, regardless of gender identity, race, locality, or income, has the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies, families, and lives. As the Biden Administration comes to its end, we expect to see true leadership from the President through a veto of the NDAA. We encourage President Biden to join us in building a world that values autonomy over control, and humanity over hate.”