VIVENT HEALTH DENOUNCES PROPOSED BAN ON TRANSGENDER HEALTH SERVICES IN WISCONSIN

Vivent Health strongly opposes a provision conservative lawmakers voted to include in the next two-year budget plan that would forbid transgender Wisconsinites from using Medicaid health care coverage to pay for puberty-blocking drugs or surgeries. Until this vote, which took place without the opportunity for public discussion through policy-making committees, Wisconsin was the only state to not have legislation introduced or legislative action taken related to denying access to life-saving care for trans people.

“Denying anyone access to care is discriminatory and only deepens health disparities already plaguing marginalized communities,” says Brandon Hill, Interim President and CEO of Vivent Health.  “Every time individuals are stigmatized they are pushed further away from engaging in care, which reinforces the prejudices and injustices that lead to poor health outcomes among our LGBTQ+ community.”

This move comes just four years after a federal judge ruled that Wisconsin health officials unconditionally banning Medicaid coverage for medically necessary gender-confirming surgery violated patients’ civil rights and federal health care law.

Vivent Health is committed to protecting the health of all our patients, clients, and staff. To this end, we condemn the provision in the strongest possible terms and urge Governor Evers to veto it.