Senator Wiener Calls on Sutter Health To Reverse Decision to End Gender Affirming Care For Anyone Under 19

SAN FRANCISCO – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) opposed Sutter Health’s decision to end gender affirming care for patients under 19 years old on Wednesday, December 10th. The American Medical Association and other major medical associations support access to this care because it has been shown to sharply reduce suicide attempts, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse among LGBTQ youth. Sutter’s announcement would leave patients without access to critical healthcare.

Rainbow Families Action will hold a rally protesting the cancellation today from 3-5pm at Sutter Health headquarters in Emeryville.

Senator Wiener issued the following statement:

“I’m deeply disappointed that Sutter has made this harmful decision. Medical experts agree overwhelmingly that parents and young people, in consultation with their physicians, should have access to pursue this care if they choose — the alternative is a crisis of depression, addiction, and suicide among trans youth. MAGA is scapegoating LGBTQ youth to distract from Trump’s complete failure to improve the cost of living for working people, and California health providers should stand firm against Trump’s bigotry. Ending this care is a mistake that will harm the health of LGBTQ young people, and Sutter should reverse this decision.”

###