rights
Trump admin files brief supporting insurance company who won't cover trans teens' care
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· July 16, 2026
· 3 min read
The Trump administration filed an amicus brief on Monday in support of an insurance company seeking to deny coverage for gender-affirming surgery for minors. A U.S. District Court ruled against Premera Blue Cross last year after two minors sued the company for denying them top surgery coverage. Judg
Key takeaway Zilly said the company violated the Affordable Care Act by “facially discriminating on the basis of sex.
Why this matters
The Trump administration's support of Premera Blue Cross in denying coverage for gender-affirming surgery for minors has significant implications for transgender youth nationwide. By filing an amicus brief, the Department of Justice is essentially arguing that insurance companies can discriminate against trans individuals by denying coverage for essential medical care. This stance contradicts the Affordable Care Act's protections against sex discrimination, which a U.S. District Court previously ruled Premera Blue Cross had violated. The administration's claim that Premera's policy is not discriminatory because it equally denies coverage to all trans individuals overlooks the fact that cisgender youth are still able to receive similar surgeries for non-transition-related purposes. This case highlights the ongoing struggle for trans youth to access necessary medical care, and the National LGBTQ Task Force and organizations like Lambda Legal will likely continue to play a crucial role in advocating for their rights.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Trump administration filed an amicus brief on Monday in support of an insurance company seeking to deny coverage for gender-affirming surgery for minors. A U.S. District Court ruled against Premera Blue Cross last year after two minors sued the company for denying them top surgery coverage. Judg
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .