We need your help now!

URGENT: When the cruel CMS rule restricting funding for gender affirming healthcare comes into effect on October 13, vulnerable trans youth in California are at risk of losing their care! Please send these emails by Friday at noon at the latest.

We've learned that the state and the California Department of Healthcare Services have neglected to set up a billing pathway for these patients, despite ten+ months advance notice.

Now they are proposing a grant program that will illegally carve gender affirming care services out of Medi-Cal's essential health benefits, make care for these patients optional, and impose a huge administrative burden on clinics and health centers.

Please contact the below state officials and demand that a billing pathway for gender affirming care is established before patients lose their care on October 13th. The templates below can be copied and pasted, personalized or otherwise adapted. 

Below you will find both templates for sending emails and scripts for making phone calls.  

Please choose whichever way of reaching out feels most comfortable to you.

EMAIL TEMPLATES

1. Email the California Health and Human Services Agency

Please reach out to the following CHHS leadership and urge them to support the $10 million emergency backfill and work with the Legislature to establish a permanent state-only Medi-Cal billing pathway:

• Maureen Keffer — Maureen.Keffer@CHHS.CA.GOV

• Corrin Buchanan — Corrin.Buchanan@CHHS.CA.GOV

Subject Line: Please Protect Gender Affirming Care for Medi-Cal Youth! 

We are demanding that CHHS take immediate action to ensure that transgender minors are protected when a federal government rule attacking their care goes into effect October 13!

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Everyone has known since December 2025 that this rule was coming, and yet despite requests by advocates, DHHS did not proactively set up a state pathway to provide this care to Medi-Cal children. This care is required by CA state nondiscrimination law. Without decisive action, California's most vulnerable trans youth will lose their healthcare. 

The situation is dire, but we're being told that DHHS can't or won't set up this pathway by October 13. I'm especially concerned that:

• If providers are unable to get reimbursed simply and easily through Medi-Cal, they may shutter their services. As we’ve learned, hospitals and clinics are already jumpy, looking to leave transgender minors in the cold at the first loud noise.

• Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need the services. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

Children are counting on you to fix this problem.

2. Email the Governor’s Office

Ask the Governor’s Office to support the emergency $10 million appropriation and commit to developing a sustainable state-only reimbursement pathway:

• Paula Villescaz — Paula.Villescaz@gov.ca.gov

• Richard Figueroa — Richard.Figueroa@GOV.CA.GOV

Subject Line: Please Protect Gender Affirming Care for Medi-Cal Youth! 

We are demanding that California take immediate action to ensure that transgender minors are protected when a federal government rule attacking their care goes into effect October 13!

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Everyone has known since December 2025 that this rule was coming, and yet despite requests by advocates, DHHS did not proactively set up a state pathway to provide this care to Medi-Cal children, and there was no additional budget to backfill Medi-Cal. This care is required by CA state nondiscrimination law. Without decisive action, California's most vulnerable trans youth will lose their healthcare. 

The situation is dire, but we're being told that DHHS can't or won't set up this pathway by October 13. I'm especially concerned that:

• If providers are unable to get reimbursed simply and easily through Medi-Cal, they may shutter their services. As we’ve learned, hospitals and clinics are already jumpy, looking to leave transgender minors in the cold at the first loud noise.

• Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need the services. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

We are asking the Governor to support the emergency $10 million appropriation and reimbursement pathway. Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

Children are counting on you to fix this problem.

3. Email the Legislature

Contact these key Senate and Assembly leaders’ staff, as well as contact your own state representatives and urge them to act before the Legislature adjourns on August 31: 

• Scott Ogus — Scott.Ogus@sen.ca.gov

• Patrick Le — Patrick.Le@asm.ca.gov

• Marjorie Swartz — Marjorie.Swartz@sen.ca.gov

• Rosielyn Pulmano — Rosielyn.Pulmano@asm.ca.gov

Subject Line: Please Protect Gender Affirming Care for Medi-Cal Youth! 

We are demanding that CA HHS and CA Legislature take immediate action to ensure that transgender minors are protected when a federal government rule attacking their care goes into effect October 13!

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Everyone has known since December 2025 that this rule was coming, and yet despite requests by advocates, DHCS did not proactively set up a state pathway to provide this care to Medi-Cal children. This care is required by CA state nondiscrimination law. Without decisive action, California's most vulnerable trans youth will lose their healthcare. 

The situation is dire, but we're being told that DHCS can't or won't respond in a timely manner. I'm especially concerned that:

• If providers are unable to get reimbursed simply and easily through Medi-Cal, they may shutter their services. Hospitals and clinics are already jumpy, looking to leave transgender minors in the cold at the first loud noise.

• Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need the services. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

Children are counting on you to fix this problem.

MAKE A CALL

1. Call the California Health and Human Services Agency

• Corrin Buchanan, Undersecretary (main office number) (916) 654-3454

• Maureen Keffer, Assistant Equity Officer (916) 215-5369

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need this essential health benefit. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

(this is why the issue is important to me)

We’re counting on you to make this right for Medi-Cal recipients.

2. Call Legislative Leadership

Tell them to ACT before they adjourn August 31

• Senate Budget Chair John Laird  (916) 651-4017

• Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel (916) 319-2046

Extra Credit

• Senate Pro-Tem Monique Limon (916) 651-4021

• Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (916) 319-2029 

We are demanding that CA HHS and CA Legislature ACT NOW, before the legislature adjourns, to ensure that transgender minors are protected when a federal government rule attacking their care goes into effect October 13!

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need the services. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

We’re asking you to support the $10 million emergency backfill and work with CHHS to establish a permanent state-only Medi-Cal billing pathway as soon as possible.

(this is why the issue is important to me)

As a leader and a proclaimed ally of LGBTQ+ Californians, I'm counting on you to fix this problem.

URGENT: When the cruel CMS rule restricting funding for gender affirming healthcare comes into effect on October 13, vulnerable trans youth in California are at risk of losing their care! Please send these emails by Friday at noon at the latest.

We've learned that the state and the California Department of Healthcare Services have neglected to set up a billing pathway for these patients, despite ten+ months advance notice.

Now they are proposing a grant program that will illegally carve gender affirming care services out of Medi-Cal's essential health benefits, make care for these patients optional, and impose a huge administrative burden on clinics and health centers.

Please contact the below state officials and demand that a billing pathway for gender affirming care is established before patients lose their care on October 13th. The templates below can be copied and pasted, personalized or otherwise adapted. 

Below you will find both templates for sending emails and scripts for making phone calls.  

Please choose whichever way of reaching out feels most comfortable to you.

EMAIL TEMPLATES

1. Email the California Health and Human Services Agency

Please reach out to the following CHHS leadership and urge them to support the $10 million emergency backfill and work with the Legislature to establish a permanent state-only Medi-Cal billing pathway:

• Maureen Keffer — Maureen.Keffer@CHHS.CA.GOV

• Corrin Buchanan — Corrin.Buchanan@CHHS.CA.GOV

Subject Line: Please Protect Gender Affirming Care for Medi-Cal Youth! 

We are demanding that CHHS take immediate action to ensure that transgender minors are protected when a federal government rule attacking their care goes into effect October 13!

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Everyone has known since December 2025 that this rule was coming, and yet despite requests by advocates, DHHS did not proactively set up a state pathway to provide this care to Medi-Cal children. This care is required by CA state nondiscrimination law. Without decisive action, California's most vulnerable trans youth will lose their healthcare. 

The situation is dire, but we're being told that DHHS can't or won't set up this pathway by October 13. I'm especially concerned that:

• If providers are unable to get reimbursed simply and easily through Medi-Cal, they may shutter their services. As we’ve learned, hospitals and clinics are already jumpy, looking to leave transgender minors in the cold at the first loud noise.

• Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need the services. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

Children are counting on you to fix this problem.

2. Email the Governor’s Office

Ask the Governor’s Office to support the emergency $10 million appropriation and commit to developing a sustainable state-only reimbursement pathway:

• Paula Villescaz — Paula.Villescaz@gov.ca.gov

• Richard Figueroa — Richard.Figueroa@GOV.CA.GOV

Subject Line: Please Protect Gender Affirming Care for Medi-Cal Youth! 

We are demanding that California take immediate action to ensure that transgender minors are protected when a federal government rule attacking their care goes into effect October 13!

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Everyone has known since December 2025 that this rule was coming, and yet despite requests by advocates, DHHS did not proactively set up a state pathway to provide this care to Medi-Cal children, and there was no additional budget to backfill Medi-Cal. This care is required by CA state nondiscrimination law. Without decisive action, California's most vulnerable trans youth will lose their healthcare. 

The situation is dire, but we're being told that DHHS can't or won't set up this pathway by October 13. I'm especially concerned that:

• If providers are unable to get reimbursed simply and easily through Medi-Cal, they may shutter their services. As we’ve learned, hospitals and clinics are already jumpy, looking to leave transgender minors in the cold at the first loud noise.

• Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need the services. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

We are asking the Governor to support the emergency $10 million appropriation and reimbursement pathway. Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

Children are counting on you to fix this problem.

3. Email the Legislature

Contact these key Senate and Assembly leaders’ staff, as well as contact your own state representatives and urge them to act before the Legislature adjourns on August 31: 

• Scott Ogus — Scott.Ogus@sen.ca.gov

• Patrick Le — Patrick.Le@asm.ca.gov

• Marjorie Swartz — Marjorie.Swartz@sen.ca.gov

• Rosielyn Pulmano — Rosielyn.Pulmano@asm.ca.gov

Subject Line: Please Protect Gender Affirming Care for Medi-Cal Youth! 

We are demanding that CA HHS and CA Legislature take immediate action to ensure that transgender minors are protected when a federal government rule attacking their care goes into effect October 13!

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Everyone has known since December 2025 that this rule was coming, and yet despite requests by advocates, DHCS did not proactively set up a state pathway to provide this care to Medi-Cal children. This care is required by CA state nondiscrimination law. Without decisive action, California's most vulnerable trans youth will lose their healthcare. 

The situation is dire, but we're being told that DHCS can't or won't respond in a timely manner. I'm especially concerned that:

• If providers are unable to get reimbursed simply and easily through Medi-Cal, they may shutter their services. Hospitals and clinics are already jumpy, looking to leave transgender minors in the cold at the first loud noise.

• Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need the services. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

Children are counting on you to fix this problem.

MAKE A CALL

1. Call the California Health and Human Services Agency

• Corrin Buchanan, Undersecretary (main office number) (916) 654-3454

• Maureen Keffer, Assistant Equity Officer (916) 215-5369

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need this essential health benefit. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

(this is why the issue is important to me)

We’re counting on you to make this right for Medi-Cal recipients.

2. Call Legislative Leadership

Tell them to ACT before they adjourn August 31

• Senate Budget Chair John Laird  (916) 651-4017

• Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel (916) 319-2046

Extra Credit

• Senate Pro-Tem Monique Limon (916) 651-4021

• Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (916) 319-2029 

We are demanding that CA HHS and CA Legislature ACT NOW, before the legislature adjourns, to ensure that transgender minors are protected when a federal government rule attacking their care goes into effect October 13!

Despite the fact that new Medicaid rules to end federal coverage for Gender Affirming Care for children on October 13th have been in the works since last year, I have just learned that the state of California and the Department of Healthcare Services do not have a plan for how to deliver this care without federal funding. 

Without quick action, come October 13, families receiving Medi-Cal may not be able to access Gender Affirming Care at all. These are families that can't pay out of pocket, even if they desperately need the services. Continuity in treatment is particularly important in Gender Affirming Care for patient well-being and mental health. Disruptions in care would be devastating for youth and their families.

Anything but a pathway for Medi-Cal reimbursement greatly risks disrupting continuity of care, and any bandaid that results in a gap in health care services for our state's most vulnerable is unacceptable.

We’re asking you to support the $10 million emergency backfill and work with CHHS to establish a permanent state-only Medi-Cal billing pathway as soon as possible.

(this is why the issue is important to me)

As a leader and a proclaimed ally of LGBTQ+ Californians, I'm counting on you to fix this problem.