A significant legal battle is brewing as federal government employees have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration. The complaint challenges a new policy set to eliminate coverage for gender-affirming care within federal health insurance programs, a move that directly impacts thousands of federal workers and their families.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is representing the federal employees and U.S. postal workers in this crucial legal action. The lawsuit comes in response to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) announcement that, as of 2026, “chemical and surgical modification of an individual’s sex traits through medical interventions” will no longer be covered under their health plans. While the policy’s full impact is slated for 2026, the complaint was filed as the new year began, reflecting the urgency of the matter.
Central to the complaint is the powerful argument that this policy is discriminatory on the basis of sex. The plaintiffs are not only demanding that this controversial policy be rescinded but are also seeking payment for economic damages and other forms of relief. Should negotiations with OPM prove unfruitful, the plaintiffs are prepared to escalate their claims to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and, if necessary, pursue a full class action lawsuit in federal court.
This isn’t an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader national conversation and legal struggle. The Trump administration has faced increasing legal challenges over its attempts to diminish legal protections and access to gender-affirming care. Just last month, a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general sued to block proposed rules that would restrict children’s access to gender-affirming care. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed rules that could severely limit access by barring hospitals providing such care to children from Medicaid and Medicare programs. These ongoing legal battles underscore the critical nature of healthcare access and LGBTQ+ rights in the current political landscape.
