Youth's Lives Every Day
Research shows that access to transgender health care is associated with significantly lower rates of depression and suicide risk among transgender and nonbinary young people
August 11, 2026 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a new rule that, if allowed to take effect, would restrict access to best-practice health care for transgender and nonbinary young people beginning in October 2026.
The Trevor Project’s Senior Vice President of Public Engagement Campaigns, Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen (he/him), released the following statement in response:
“This rule is a dangerous restriction on doctor-prescribed health care. Since the rule was first proposed back in December, more than 35,000 public comments were submitted in response because we know what this is – a dangerous and unnecessary attempt to prevent transgender and nonbinary young people from accessing the best-practice health care they need to lead healthy and happy lives.
“Personal medical decisions should be made by individual patients, their doctors, and their families – not by a one-size-fits-all mandate from the federal government. If you’ve never met a transgender person, or aren’t familiar with the type of health care that some of us receive, it’s understandable to have questions. While there have been many recent headlines about transgender health care, this type of care is nothing new; it has been provided for decades, is based on scientific research, and is supported by all of our country’s leading medical and mental health associations.
“The Trevor Project’s research shows that access to this care is associated with significantly lower rates of depression and suicide risk among transgender and nonbinary young people who receive it. Despite this being called a ‘final rule,’ we have time to fight back. It’s important to note that nothing will change overnight – and this rule would not ban this care nationally, nor would it ban hospitals from providing these services. We will continue working closely with our partners and allies across the country to stop this dangerous rule, and to create a country where all young people can receive the best-practice health care they need.”
Relevant research & resources:
- A 2022 peer-reviewed study published in The Journal of Adolescent Health by researchers at The Trevor Project found gender-affirming hormone therapy was significantly related to lower rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary young people.
- The Trevor Project’s 2025 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People found that 40% of transgender and nonbinary young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. The survey also found:
- 94% of transgender and nonbinary youth said recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws, policies and debates caused them stress or anxiety.
- Transgender and nonbinary young people who were unable to access the hormones they wanted were nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide than those who could.
- Among transgender and nonbinary youth who reported receiving hormones, 87% worried about losing access.
- The Trevor Project’s Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People is an introductory educational resource that covers a wide range of topics and best practices on how to support transgender and nonbinary people.
- The Trevor Project’s short film, Learn with Love: Haylin & Mat, shares the real story of one mother’s journey toward understanding and supporting her transgender son – including navigating transgender health care.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org, or by texting START to 678678.
