To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Board of Supervisors
Staff Name and Phone Number: Lynda Hopkins 707-565-2241
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Sonoma County’s commitment to nondiscriminatory access to medically necessary care, including gender-affirming care.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution affirming Sonoma County's commitment to ensuring nondiscriminatory access to medically necessary health care for all residents, including gender-affirming care.
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Executive Summary:
The proposed resolution reaffirms Sonoma County's commitment to ensuring that all residents have access to medically necessary health care without discrimination. It further affirms the County's support for equal access to health services, including gender-affirming care, and underscores Sonoma County's longstanding commitment to health equity, patient dignity, and well-being of all community members.
Discussion:
Across the nation, access to gender-affirming care has become the subject of increased legal and policy debate. Recent federal actions and proposed policies have sought to restrict access to gender-affirming care. There have been attempts to limit participation in federally funded healthcare programs and disqualify providers offering such care. A federal district court has enjoined enforcement of certain federal actions targeting gender-affirming care, finding such actions unlawful and without legal effect.
This policy debate has created uncertainty among healthcare systems and interruptions or delays in gender-affirming care have significant adverse impacts on patient health outcomes. The California Attorney General has issued formal guidance affirming that gender-affirming care remains legal in California and that providers may continue to deliver such care consistent with California law, including the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code Section 51) and Government Code Section 11135, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, including in the provision of healthcare services. Consistent with the Attorney General's formal guidance, the proposed resolution affirms that the County does not support medical providers complying in advance with proposed federal policy changes. California law further requires that individuals be provided access to medically necessary healthcare services, including gender-affirming care, without unlawful discrimination. Through the resolution, the County maintains that access to medically necessary healthcare, including gender-affirming care, is a foundational public health priority. Adoption of the resolution would reaffirm the County's values of inclusion, equity, and respect for individual health care decisions.
The resolution also affirms the County’s intent to communicate its policy position to Governor of California, the California Attorney General, members of the California State Legislature and local healthcare providers. This communication reinforces the County’s expectation that all providers serving County residents comply with existing state and local nondiscrimination laws and maintain uninterrupted access to medically necessary care.
Strategic Plan:
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
Fiscal Summary
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Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board: