A group of United States federal employees filed a class action complaint Thursday against the Trump administration over a new policy that eliminates coverage for gender-affirming care in federal health insurance programs. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation issued the complaint on behalf of the employees, naming the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as a defendant.
The policy, which took effect at the start of the new year, stems from an August letter from the OPM stating that, as of 2026, federal health insurance plans would no longer be required to cover gender-affirming treatments and procedures. The complaint alleges that the policy violates federal law by discriminating against transgender employees.
"This policy is a direct attack on the health and well-being of transgender federal employees," stated a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. "It is discriminatory and unlawful, and we are committed to fighting it."
The Trump administration has faced criticism for pursuing policies that would limit access to gender-affirming healthcare and ban transgender people from roles in the military and sports. Supporters of the administration's policies argue that they are intended to protect religious freedom and prevent taxpayer dollars from funding procedures they consider to be elective.
The OPM has not yet issued a formal response to the complaint. The lawsuit is expected to proceed in federal court, where a judge will determine whether the policy violates federal law. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for transgender federal employees and access to gender-affirming care.
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