The fight over transgender health care access has reignited in Congress as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) moves to undo a critical Senate decision and block federal funding for gender-affirming care, just hours after the Senate removed that exact language.
The legislation at the center of the battle, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1), is a massive budget and Medicaid reconciliation package originally passed by the House on May 22, 2025, by a razor-thin margin of 215 Yes, 214 No, 1 Present, and 2 Not Voting. That version of the bill included a provision to prohibit all federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender transition procedures.
But on July 1, 2025, the U.S. Senate voted to approve a modified version of the bill after removing the anti-transgender health care provision. The Senate Parliamentarian had ruled it violated reconciliation rules under the Byrd Rule. The Senate passed the revised bill, without the ban, and sent it back to the House.
That same day, Greene filed a new amendment to reinsert the exact ban the Senate had just struck down. Her one-sentence proposal reads, “This amendment prohibits Federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender transition procedures.”
Now, the full House could vote as early as Wednesday morning, July 2, on the final version of the bill, including Greene’s amendment if it advances through the House Rules Committee.
What’s at Stake
If the amendment is included and passed, it would bar low-income transgender people across the U.S. from accessing any gender-affirming care through Medicaid or CHIP. That includes:
- Puberty blockers for youth
- Hormone therapy for teens and adults
- Gender-affirming surgeries
- Possibly even mental health counseling related to gender identity
Medical experts, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, universally agree that gender-affirming care is evidence-based, safe, and medically necessary. Denying it leads to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among transgender individuals.
“This is cruelty dressed as fiscal policy,” said one LGBTQ+ policy advocate. “The Senate removed this because it didn’t belong in the bill. Greene is putting it back in out of spite.”
What Happens Next
- May 22: House passes H.R. 1 with anti-trans Medicaid ban
- July 1 (morning): Senate passes revised bill without the trans care ban
- July 1 (afternoon): Greene files amendment to restore the ban
- July 2 (expected): House votes on final version; amendment may be included
What You Can Do Now
- Call your U.S. Representative immediately and demand they reject Greene’s amendment
- Contact the House Rules Committee and urge them to block the amendment from advancing
- Post on social media with hashtags like #ProtectTransHealth and #StopTheAmendment
- Share your story, make this personal for lawmakers
Time is running out. This is not just a political maneuver; it’s a direct threat to transgender lives. The Senate said no. Now the House must do the same.
Let’s be louder than hate before Wednesday’s vote.
