Fenway Health was honored to stand for transgender rights in Washington, DC, on December 3-4, during a pivotal moment in the fight for health equity. Sean Cahill, our Director of Health Policy Research, joined the National Association of Community Health Centers’ lobby days, where he met with Members of Congress, including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to advocate for health care access for all. He personally thanked Speaker Pelosi for her leadership in passing the Affordable Care Act, which has provided coverage to over 50 million Americans.
While in DC, we joined advocates at the U.S. Supreme Court as it heard arguments in United States v. Skrmetti. This landmark case challenges Tennessee’s discriminatory ban on evidence-based, life-saving care for transgender youth. Fenway Health also contributed to a friend-of-the-court brief led by Harvard Law School’s Center for Health Law and Innovation, highlighting the profound harm such bans cause to vulnerable young people and their families.
We were there because this case is not just about one state; it is about the basic human rights of every transgender person in this country. It is about ensuring that all youth have access to the medical care they need to live full, authentic lives. These bans represent an attack on the very values of equity, dignity, and justice that Fenway Health has championed for over 50 years.
In Massachusetts, we are fortunate to work within a supportive environment, but we know that our work does not stop at state lines. An attack on care anywhere is an attack on care everywhere. We stand with trans youth, their families, and communities across the country in saying: We see you, we value you, and we will stand alongside you.
No matter the outcome of this case, Fenway Health remains steadfast in our mission to ensure that every person can access the care they need and deserve. We will continue to advocate, collaborate, and stand in solidarity until the right to health care is guaranteed for all.