On June 7, 2023, Governor Parson signed into law a ban on gender-affirming care for Missouri youth known as Senate Bill (SB) 49.
We understand this is a confusing and scary time for transgender and nonbinary young people and their loved ones. You can rely on us for accurate information and updates so that you can make informed decisions about your health care. We’re here for you, no matter what.
What does the gender-affirming care ban do?
- Takes effect on August 28, 2023.
- Bans gender-affirming surgeries for minors.
- Bans gender-affirming puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors who are not already receiving gender-affirming care. Any minors who are already receiving care before August 28, 2023, are exempt from the ban and will be able to continue their care in Missouri. This prohibition will expire in 2027.
- Bars Missouri Medicaid (also known as MO HealthNet) coverage for gender-affirming care for minors and adults.
- Bans access to gender-affirming surgery for people who are incarcerated.
What the ban does not do:
- This ban does not bar patients, including minors, from accessing care out of state or through telehealth.
- This ban does not penalize or criminalize parents or guardians who seek gender-affirming care for their children.
- This ban does not impact patients under the age of 18 who have begun gender-affirming puberty blockers or hormone therapy before August 28, 2023.
- This ban does not bar mental health care.
- This ban does not bar gender-affirming care for adults. Gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and surgery, will remain legal for people age 18 and older. The exception is the ban on access to gender-affirming surgery for people who are incarcerated.
- This ban does not bar private insurance from covering gender-affirming care. (It does bar Medicaid from covering gender-affirming health care.)
- This ban does not bar providers from referring patients to out-of-state providers.
What does the ban mean for minors who need gender-affirming care?
- Minors who begin gender-affirming care before August 28, 2023, will be able to continue their care in Missouri. The law includes an exception for patients who begin care before the law takes effect.
- Minors who seek to begin care on or after August 28, 2023, will need to seek care from a provider outside of Missouri.
What services does Planned Parenthood provide to the transgender community?
Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri has nine health centers in Missouri and Illinois. The Missouri health centers are in the St. Louis area, Rolla, Springfield, and Joplin. The Illinois health center is in Fairview Heights, a short drive from the St. Louis area.
Planned Parenthood proudly provides gender-affirming care to patients 16 years of age and older — with or without insurance — through the TRANSforming Community, TRANSforming Care program in partnership with Metro Trans Umbrella Group and Missouri Foundation for Health. We offer gender-affirming hormone therapy using testosterone and estrogen (also known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT) to all patients, gender-affirming surgery (vasectomy, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy) to adult patients, and access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care services. Patients can also access case management and behavioral health services at our health centers.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, live in Missouri, and want to start gender-affirming care, we strongly encourage you to make an appointment before August 28, 2023. After August 28, you can come to our Fairview Heights, Illinois health center for gender-affirming care. We can help you with arranging and/or paying for transportation to Illinois.
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How can I start gender-affirming care at Planned Parenthood?
Book an appointment online or call us at 314-531-7526 to schedule your gender-affirming care appointment.
Transgender rights and reproductive rights are intertwined. Both arise from our fundamental right to control our own bodies, build the families we choose, and live as our authentic selves. The very same politicians who orchestrated Missouri’s abortion bans are targeting transgender Missourians. Let’s be clear: Gender-affirming care is lifesaving health care, and everyone who needs it should be able to access it without interference from politicians. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure all patients are supported, seen, and cared for, no matter what.
Additional Resources
Emotional Support:
- The Center Project
- Metro Trans Umbrella Group
- National Center for Transgender Equality
- PFLAG
- Pinwheels
- SEMO LGBTQ+ Resource Center
- The Shades Project (Supporting Health Arts Diversity Education & Safe Space)
- The SPOT (Supporting Positive Opportunities with Teens)
- St. Louis Queer Support Helpline
- START (Springfield Transgender Ally and Resource Team)
- Trans Lifeline
- Transformations KC
- TransParent
- The Trevor Project
Legal resources and information:
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