The TransLatin@ Coalition and Partners Secure Nondiscrimination Protections for TGI people in California State Law
The Fair Care for All Act, sponsored by The TransLatin@ Coalition and authored by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, strengthens California law against discrimination in health care coverage. For transgender, gender-expansive, and intersex communities, these protections matter at a time when federal safeguards remain vulnerable to change.
The TransLatin@ Coalition is very happy to announce that AB 1876, authored by Assemblymember Dawn Addis and sponsored by The TransLatin@ Coalition, has been passed by the California Legislature and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom!
This is a win made possible by advocates, partners, strong community testimonies, champion Assemblymember Dawn Addis, and California state representatives.
What is AB 1876?
AB 1876 codifies federal nondiscrimination protections into California state law. It provides nondiscrimination protections prohibiting California health plans from denying care based on race, color, national origin, age, or disability. As a strength, AB 1876 defines sex-based discrimination as discrimination based on any sex characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, intersex traits, or conditions of pregnancy.
AB 1876 mandates that if an insurance provider covers a prescribed service for one patient population, then they would cover that same service for all patient populations who need that same care. As law, this prohibits discriminatory categorical exclusions for gender-affirming care or denial of services based on gender identity.
Necessity of AB 1876
These federal protections exist as Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but are at risk of being reduced or rescinded based on federal action. AB 1876 codifies these safeguards at the state level and provides increased clarity in California law protecting equitable access, regardless of federal policy changes.
These protections are of vital importance for communities that have historically faced discrimination in health care, such as TGI people, non-English speakers, and people seeking reproductive health care. Additionally, AB 1876’s definition of sex-based discrimination accounts for the various and compounding factors that can make TGI people vulnerable when navigating health care systems–such as perceived gender identity, sex stereotypes, and institutional racism.
Ultimately, AB 1876 ensures that no one patient population has pre-emptively limited coverage by way of discriminatory coverage practices.
Impacts of AB 1876
With this legislation now passed, California strengthens protections for comprehensive health programs and reasserts its commitment to accessible care to all patient populations. It makes clear that equitable health care coverage for all people is protected in our state legislation and retains these protections in state, even if weakened at the federal level.
Left: Alex Bass, Policy Assoc., The TransLatin@ Coalition, Center: Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Right: Dr. Malakai Coté, Executive Director, The Gender Health Center
Continued Commitment
As The TransLatin@ Coalition celebrates this win, we also reaffirm our commitment to advocating for healthcare access for our communities. We will continue this work with fellow advocates, partners, and community members to fight for continuous and equitable access to health care!
