WASHINGTON, D.C. — Five federal employees have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s exclusion of gender transition treatments from government employee health insurance plans.
The lawsuit alleges the Office of Personnel Management violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on sex. The plaintiffs seek treatments for themselves or covered family members and argue that the policy singles out transgender and gender-nonconforming employees.
Beginning in January, federal and postal employee health plans generally stopped covering hormone therapy, hysterectomies and other procedures when provided for gender transition. The same treatments may remain covered when prescribed for other medical purposes. Limited continuation exceptions are available for some people already receiving care.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation said affected workers have considered draining savings, delaying treatment or leaving federal employment because they cannot afford care independently. A UCLA Williams Institute estimate cited by the plaintiffs indicates the change could affect at least 39,400 employees, retirees and dependents.
OPM maintains that its policy complies with President Donald Trump’s directive recognizing sex as biologically fixed and requiring federal insurance programs to exclude transition-related procedures. The plaintiffs are asking a federal court to restore coverage and prohibit enforcement of the exclusion.
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