West Virginia Governor Justice Signs Ban on Essential Health Care

Ban on certain medical treatments for youth who are transgender will go into effect in January next year

CHARLESTON, W.V. — Today, Governor Justice signed House Bill 2007, a bill that bans gender-affirming care, including medications, to anyone under the age of 18 in most circumstances. Under the bill, some young people with severe gender dysphoria may be able to access hormone therapy if the diagnosis is confirmed by two doctors, including a mental health care provider, and if the minor has parental consent. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

Gender-affirming care, guided by evidence-based standards of care, is considered a medical necessity by nearly every major medical association in the United States due to the overwhelming evidence that it greatly improves health outcomes for patients who are transgender or nonbinary. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic will continue to provide gender-affirming health care in West Virginia to young people and adults in accordance with the law.

“I cannot count the number of patients that we have seen who had seriously contemplated or even attempted suicide in the past who now tell us they are so much happier after starting gender-affirming hormone therapy,” said Carrie Lett, a clinician with Planned Parenthood South Atlantic which provides gender-affirming hormone therapy in West Virginia. “Although some young people may still be able to get the care they need, this law still amounts to the government putting politics over people’s lives and interfering with medical best practices. No one should have to justify their health care decisions to a politician, and Mountaineers should be able to access the care they need to live happier and healthier lives without exception.” 

West Virginia’s ban is part of a growing wave of attacks on transgender youth in state legislatures across the country, where lawmakers have introduced more than 150 anti-trans bills in at least 29 states.

“Mountaineers deserve to be free to make decisions about their own bodies in consultation with their medical providers and with the support of their families,” said Alisa Clements, Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. “Gender-affirming health care is essential, life-saving health care, and it is absolutely shameful and dangerous to take it away from young people in this state. Once again, the West Virginia state government is using its power to bully some of our most vulnerable Mountaineers and interfere with medical best practices. We want all transgender and queer youth in West Virginia to know that we see you, and you are deserving of respect and autonomy.”

Nearly every major medical association opposes bills like H.B. 2007, including the American Medical Association. In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) formally recommended giving young people “access to comprehensive gender-affirming and developmentally appropriate health care.” In 2021, AAP also announced its opposition to public policies that “threaten the health and well-being of transgender youth,” including bills that prohibit trans minors from having access to gender-affirming care and/or participating on sports teams in accordance with their gender identity. Experts also warn that attacks like H.B. 2007 will have profound mental health consequences, including increasing the already high risk of suicide for transgender youth.

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