LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Ysabel Jurado today introduced a resolution opposing U.S. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s declaration and proposed federal rules restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare for young people, positioning Los Angeles at the forefront of efforts to defend care for transgender youth.
Read the resolution here.
“Los Angeles has long been a national leader in protecting LGBTQIA+ communities, and we are not going to step back now,” said Councilmember Jurado. “At a time when federal actions are putting access to care at risk, we are taking clear, deliberate steps to ensure that young people and their families can continue to access it without political interference.”
“This resolution is a big step in reflecting the City's commitment in ensuring that trans and non-binary Angelenos will have protections in making sure that we have access to life-saving care,” said Carla Ibarra, LGBTQIA+ Liaison of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Department. “This won't be the end goal, and we will not stop until we're able to provide full access to every life-saving resource the trans community needs.
“The resolution today means a lot to me and my community,” said Maya Daniels, The Translatin@ Coalition. “Gender-affirming healthcare is essential, evidence-based care that supports an individual's mental health and ability to live authentically. Hate-fueled rhetoric is just the start of the federal attacks on everyone's bodily autonomy, and I want to thank Councilmember Jurado for uplifting and affirming the City’s support of this cause.”
Jurado introduced the resolution in response to federal actions that seek to eliminate or restrict Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming healthcare for patients under 18, a move that would pressure hospitals and providers to deny medically necessary care, regardless of clinical judgment or patient need.
In March 2026, a federal court blocked those efforts, finding that the proposed restrictions exceeded federal authority and failed to follow required rulemaking procedures. Jurado’s resolution ensures Los Angeles is on record opposing those policies and prepared to use all lawful means to protect residents from discrimination and loss of care.
The resolution will next be referred to the City Council’s Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee for consideration before returning to the full Council for a vote. If approved, it will be included in the 2025-26 Federal Legislative Program, represented as the official position of the City of Los Angeles.
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Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado represents Council District 14, which includes the neighborhoods of Downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Highland Park, and Eagle Rock. She chairs the City Council’s Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee on Measure ULA, and she serves as vice chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee.