Planned Parenthood AZ Revives Transgender Care Following Trump-Era Funding Concerns

Planned Parenthood Arizona has reinstated gender-affirming care for its patients after a brief suspension prompted by threats to federal funding from the Trump administration. A spokesperson confirmed that the decision was made following a careful review of the situation.

Last Friday, Dr. Mehmet Oz, the new head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced that Medicaid would no longer cover gender-affirming care for minors. This announcement led to the cancellation of hormone therapy appointments at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Mesa, causing concerns among adult patients.

In response to the situation, Planned Parenthood initially paused services to assess the implications of the federal order. On Tuesday, however, the organization decided to continue offering gender-affirming care, citing an urgent need to protect access to essential healthcare services.

“The onslaught of attacks on sexual and reproductive healthcare services in Arizona and across the country is alarming,” the organization stated. “This will not be the last threat that aims to deny people medically sound, essential healthcare.”

Almost half of Planned Parenthood’s patients rely on Medicaid. A reduction in federal funding could jeopardize critical services, including gynecological exams and cancer screenings, risking access for vulnerable populations in Arizona.

Planned Parenthood operates seven clinics across Tucson, the Phoenix metro area, and Flagstaff. In January, an executive order from President Trump intended to deny federal funds to providers offering gender-affirming care to individuals under 19 years, although that order has since been blocked by a judge.

Following the federal announcement, several Arizona clinics had quietly paused transgender care to safeguard their funding. Last week, Planned Parenthood even removed references to transgender care from their website, though these were restored by Tuesday.

After initial disruptions, Prisma Community Care in Phoenix has also resumed its gender-affirming services, although other healthcare providers have yet to clarify their plans.

Arizona state law already prohibits gender reassignment surgery for individuals under 18. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System does not cover the surgery for any age but does fund gender-affirming hormone therapy, voice therapy, and related mental health services.

A letter from the CMS to state agencies emphasized the prohibition of using Medicaid funds for gender-affirming treatments for minors, citing regulations against funding procedures that cause irreversible reproductive harm.

Dr. Oz expressed concerns about gender-affirming treatments, claiming they can lead to “permanent, irreversible harm” to minors. However, numerous studies have indicated that access to such care significantly reduces suicide risks among transgender youth, contradicting claims of widespread regret post-treatment.

Every prominent medical association in the U.S. supports gender-affirming care. The American Medical Association advocates for coverage of treatment for gender dysphoria by both public and private insurers.

Planned Parenthood Arizona reaffirmed its commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community, emphasizing the importance of providing consistent access to vital services like gender-affirming care for its patients.