QM Weekly Update for December 29, 2025
🏳️⚧️⚕️⚖️ On Tuesday, 19 states, including Michigan, sued to stop the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from cutting off all Medicare and Medicaid funding from providers of youth gender-affirming care. The move comes in response to a December 18 memo that attempts to cut off funding without going through federal rule-making processes.
More information:
“19 states sue HHS over a move that could curtail youth gender-affirming care”
19 states sue HHS over youth gender-affirming care : NPR
A coalition of 19 states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday sued the Department of Health and Human Services over a declaration that could complicate access to gender-affirming care for young people.
“19 States and DC are Suing to Protect Gender-Affirming Care for Youth”
“Democratic officials sue RFK Jr. over attempt to limit gender-affirming care for trans youth”
Dems sue RFK over declaration against gender-affirming care | Advocate.com
The coalition bringing the suit, led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, includes 19 AGs and one governor.
“HHS Sec. Kennedy Attempts To Stop Trans Youth Care In Hospitals Nationwide—Before New Federal Rules Take Effect”
Lawsuit
https://oag.maryland.gov/News/Documents/pdfs/Oregon%20v%20Kennedy%20-%20Complaint%20-%2025cv02409.pdf
“Declaration of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Re: Safety, Effectiveness, and Professional Standards of Care for Sex-Rejecting Procedures on Children and Adolescents”
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/declaration-pediatric-sex-rejecting-procedures.pdf
🏳️🌈📈 A recently published study found that risk of suicide planning and attempts significantly increases on average for LGB people in the years after they first come out to a family member or heterosexual friend, especially for younger generations.
More information:
“New research shows coming out is still risky”
New research shows coming out is still risky
A time of profound psychological vulnerability
“Coming Out as a Period of Increased Vulnerability to Suicide Risk Among Sexual Minorities”
🏳️🌈⚕️⚖️ On December 17th, a U.S. district court judge approved a preliminary agreement in a class action lawsuit against Aetna for enforcing unequal barriers to IVF coverage for same-sex couples. The health insurer will now be required to provide the same fertility coverage to same-sex couples as heterosexual couples for all of its members nationwide.
More information:
“Aetna to cover IVF treatments for same-sex couples in national settlement”
Aetna to cover IVF treatments for same-sex couples in national settlement – Orange County Register
It is the first case requiring a health insurer to apply this policy nationally across all enrollees. An estimated 2.8 million LGBTQ members will benefit, including 91,000 Californians.
🏳️⚧️🏫⚖️ On Monday, a federal judge ruled that California schools cannot bar teachers from outing trans youth to their parents and that they must use the name and pronouns chosen by a student’s parents, citing the religious freedom of teachers and the 14th Amendment rights of parents. On Friday, a federal appeals court temporarily blocked the ruling while the case proceeds.
More information:
“9th Circuit Court Temporarily Blocks Lower Court Forced Outing Ruling In California”
“Court blocks ruling on disclosure of gender identification by California students”
“Federal judge says California schools must allow teachers to out transgender students to parents”
“Bush judge rules that Christian teachers can out trans kids if they want to”
Bush judge rules that Christian teachers can out trans kids if they want to - LGBTQ Nation
He said a district policy banning teachers from disclosing private information about trans kids violated the teachers' religious exercise rights.
🏳️⚧️🏥⚖️ On Wednesday, a federal judge blocked parts of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center subpoena, which required the hospital to report the names of trans minors receiving gender-affirming care.
More information:
“Breaking: Federal judge in Pittsburgh blocks DOJ’s invasive trans care subpoena”
🏳️🌈��⚖️ On Friday, a Texas judge who refused to officiate same-sex weddings filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to overturn marriage equality in the U.S.
More information:
“Texas judge who refused to officiate same-sex weddings sues to overturn marriage equality”
Texas judge files lawsuit to overturn marriage equality | Advocate.com
<p>Dianne Hensley is the new Kim Davis as she sues to overturn marriage equality with the hopes the Supreme Court will hear her. </p>
“Texas judge asks federal court to end marriage equality nationwide”
Texas judge asks federal court to end marriage equality nationwide - LGBTQ Nation
She has been arguing that, as a Christian, she should not have to follow state rules about judicial impartiality.
🏳️⚧️🎓 On Monday, a transgender University of Oklahoma graduate assistant was removed from teaching by the school for giving a student a zero on an anti-trans paper. The graduate assistant had determined that the paper did not address the assignment’s requirements, but an anti-trans media campaign was launched against them in response.
More information:
“University formally removes trans TA who gave anti-trans Christian a failing grade”
University formally removes trans TA who gave anti-trans Christian a failing grade - LGBTQ Nation
The American Association of University Professors slammed the school for giving no "supporting or specific reasons why Mel Curth was removed."
“Instructor who gave U of Oklahoma student a zero on anti-trans paper removed from teaching”
