Greetings from the Fenway Health Trans Health Program!
We write to community and patients today more determined than ever to continue providing care for trans and gender diverse patients and community members no matter the challenge.
The actions taken by the federal government since inauguration have explicitly made clear their intent to restrict access to equitable healthcare. None of this has come as a surprise, and we are hard at work to center ourselves in reality and not be intimidated by the inflammatory actions of the White House. Fenway’s leadership has been working hard at contingency planning since the election, and the Trans Health Program is confident in our leadership’s ability to prioritize access to care without interruption.
Centering and grounding in community, joy, and wellbeing may be difficult when there is an onslaught of harmful rhetoric and information. It is more important than ever to take care of ourselves and others. We’re here for you. Please reach out if you need support whether it be social, community, or health related:
857.313.6589.
In this issue of the Newsletter we’ll hear from Sean Cahill, the Director of Health Policy Research at The Fenway Institute; answer more FAQs; and share relevant resources.
Warmly,
Trans Health Program Team
Fenway Health Leadership Message
As we start to look forward to spring, we here at Fenway Health are still taking stock of the new administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders and other actions as we continue our work to support our patients and the community’s health and wellbeing. These orders include one on “gender ideology extremism,” another rescinding President Biden’s 2021 sexual orientation and gender identity nondiscrimination executive order, and one attempting to restrict gender affirming care for individuals age 18 and under.
We know recent federal actions have been confusing and concerning but there is no immediate impact to Fenway’s clinical services or your care. We are committed to working with our patients, their families, our partner organizations, elected officials, and the communities we serve to ensure that the changing political and regulatory context does not negatively affect lifesaving care and services.
Fenway Health leaders, in coalition with local and national LGBTQIA+, HIV/AIDS, and health center partners, are analyzing the potential impact of these executive orders on the people we serve and on our organization. An analysis of the impact of the “gender ideology” EO is linked here.
It will take time, perhaps months or even years, for federal agencies to issue guidance and proposed rules to implement these EOs. Supporters of LGBTQ+ health equity and science-based medicine will challenge these proposed policy changes through public comments, engagement with government allies in Congress and state government, and through litigation.
Fenway Health is committed to continuing to provide care and support transgender and gender diverse communities. If any changes occur that will impact your care, we will let you know how we are responding and what you can do to help protect your health and wellbeing.
Sean Cahill, PhD
Director of Health Policy Research
Support Trans Lives This Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is on March 31. Support Fenway Health and show your support for trans and gender diverse folks this TDOV by purchasing our new TDOV t-shirt, available in long and short sleeve versions in a variety of sizes. Learn more and buy your shirt on Bonfire today!
Post-Election FAQs
Many of you have had questions about what last fall’s election might mean for gender-affirming care and services at Fenway Health. We will be answering these questions to the best of our ability in this FAQ section each issue.
We are compiling these FAQs on our website and you can read those here.
I've heard that Fenway is rolling back trans and gender diverse care. Is that true?
Fenway is not rolling back, restricting, ending, or pausing gender affirming care for youth or adults. Our intent is to continue care uninterrupted no matter the changes, restrictions, challenges, or attacks levied by elected officials.
What is an executive order and what can it do?
An executive order is a directive issued by the President of the United States to manage and direct the operations of the federal government. However, executive orders are limited in that they can only apply to federal agencies and cannot override laws passed by Congress or the Constitution. They can also be challenged in court or reversed by future presidents. Executive orders are not laws and can be interpreted as wishes or directives of the President.
In short, while an executive order is a powerful tool, it has its boundaries and is meant to inform the operations of the executive branch (office of the President) and enforcement of laws.
The recent executive orders addressing binary sex; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and gender affirming care are enforceable within federal agencies such as Health and Human Services so long as they are lawful. That is why we’ve seen litigation recently to challenge executive orders in the courts.
While we acknowledge the heightened anxiety, there is no immediate impact to care, and we will continue to provide gender-affirming care and services. Read Fenway’s official statement on executive orders here.
What is CareEverywhere, and can I turn it off?
CareEverywhere (CE) is an application Epic uses to share patient data between healthcare institutions. Its goal is to provide a comprehensive picture of a patient’s chart, and in turn serve you better. If your Fenway Health providers can see the care you received at BILH, MGB, or Atrius, that helps us understand your care and deliver a better experience for you.
Massachusetts is an opt-OUT state for CareEverywhere. This means once your chart is set up at Fenway, the system searches for matching patients at surrounding facilities and pulls them into the chart. This allows anyone on your care team (at Fenway or otherwise) to get a better picture of your overall healthcare journey.
If you are a Fenway Health patient and want your Fenway record to NOT be shared with other healthcare sites you attend, let anyone on your care team know – we can turn off this setting for you at any time.
Events & Resources
Events
Fenway Family Fun Day
Saturday, March 29 from 3:00 – 6:00 PM
1340 Boylston St.To help keep attendance to young people and their families, we won’t be advertising this event on our social media platforms. Please feel free to share the event, as appropriate, within your communities. Be sure to register today.
Resources
- Check out lists of adult support and community resources as well as resources for youth and families in the greater Boston area and beyond.
Visit our Trans and Gender Diverse Resource Library for more health and community resources.
Have questions or is there something you would like to see in a future newsletter? Call 857.313.6589 or email transhealth@fenwayhealth.org.