I am a Fenway Health patient. I had a long conversation with my PCP there this year about my fears of medicine being lost because of the administration. My PCP explicitly consoled me by saying that their new board member, Dallas Ducar, was hired to help find creative ways for all of their patients to retain access should the law turn. I feel very betrayed
Fuuuuuuuck. This is beyond comprehension. My kids are both over 19 so unaffected (for today). But this is THE PLACE in Boston - heck, for anyone in MA or New England with the ability to get there. I am so pissed I’m shaking. I’ve had to re-type every word. 💔💔💔
Of all fucking places... WHAT? I got a primary care practitioner there because I thought if there was going to be anyone who wouldn't throw us under the bus it would be THE gay hospital.
For folks in the Boston area looking for alternatives, I highly recommend my hrt provider, Molly Nathanson at Syzygy Health in Framingham. Molly is non binary and formerly provided care at planned parenthood but currently runs their own trans centered practice, and will fight for you.
Third, sack the board members or trustees who voted for this.
Fourthly, the new leadership must present an action plan in 48 hours in order to show they intend to guarantee all legal healthcare including transition and GAHT care for all patients of all ages in line with the best practices of the AMA, APA, the Endocrine Society of America, US PATH, and as legally required under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act 2010 and in compliance with the Massachusetts constitution.
Anything less and they are doing more harm than good to ALL THEIR PATIENTS.
When politicians become doctors, and doctors becoming irrelevant, quietly fading away along with constitutional protections of all our inborn human rights.
I don't like making it about age, yeah, this is egregious, anyone who's entering puberty is old enough to begin treatment, and 16-and-17-year-old people are old enough to potentially do any GAC available. I say so, so it should be so. Fuck Donald Trump's attempt to erase our people. We'll never back down, you're a warrior Erin and so am I.
If an FQHC loses its federal grant, it’s effectively closing its doors. And then even more vulnerable people are out of care. I am connected to some higher ups at a local FQHC and their absolute best intentions are being massively shook by the actions of this administration.💔
Justifying abusing transgender children in order to protect more vulnerable people is sick. It's also what liberals keep doing to trans people as a whole. It is literally irreparable harm to take away or deny gender affirming care to trans youth. No amount of surgery will ever give you back what you lost.
The first capitulation makes the next one easier. The more times they do this, the less likely they'll ever say no. They've already banned care for adults, since 18-year-olds are legally adults. There is no reason they won't keep bumping that age up. If we can justify sacrificing trans kids to the exact kinds of traumas we as trans adults had to suffer through untreated, then they'll be justifying us next when we're on the chopping block. When will Fenway and hospitals like it push back? IUD's? PrEP?
Forcing this to a head means there's an actual fight. It's the only outcome that ends in trans kids getting care. Instead we're just waiting for them to drop the rest of us now. If they can reach into blue states to hurt our kids, they can reach in to hurt our adults. By complying in advance they have simply guaranteed that the unjust man will take another step back then demand them to meet him in the middle.
Better that they go down fighting than be chipped away at by our illegal federal government. Next they’ll be told there will be no federal dollars to any health center that treats gays and lesbians. Wake up Fenway - the state of MA is in fighting mode.
I worked for FQHC years ago, excellent community service, some in Houston started out as HIV clinics, now they serve so much more. I get it. Yes, this administration is screwing the marginalized population, any way it can. 😡😡😡
I was told by my source that the conversations have been increasingly frantic since earlier this October, when the main FQHC grant was found to have added a phrase that federal grants could be revoked at any time for “convenience.” 💔
Also trust that the AGs are involved, heavily. Just, awful, all around. And as the mom of a nonbinary prepubertal kid, trust that I hate that trans kids are the sacrificial lamb.
Are there good strategies anyone recommends for registering disapproval for a service provider like Fenway Health? I want to send an email or call somewhere to say I’m a patient and I hate what they’re doing, but I don’t know the best way in a situation like this
Write a letter to Fenway Patient Services telling them that you consider this a major breach of trust and you question how they can continue to deliver ANY care for ANY member of the LGBTQ+ community if they cannot practice medicine in compliance with state and federal law, which the executive order and HHS guidance DOES NOT have. Accordingly you will be seeking alternative care providers. Sign and send.
Print out another copy of that letter, and attach it to another letter addressed to Fenway Legal and Compliance Department and let them know you will be looking forward to joining any cooperative legal action at the state or other level, as a member of a group or class, and able and willing to testify to the harm this illegal decision is causing. Bid them a good day, sign and send.
Print out copies of BOTH letters, and send them attached with another letter to the MA Solicitor General, requesting information on any state action as a result of Fenway's illegal denial of healthcare to a class of persons known to suffer from systemic discrimination in violation of state and federal medical legislation (including the ACA 2010, Section 1557), and include a self-addressed and stamped envelope as you will expect a reply. Send this one "return receipt requested".
Share the idea with all and sundry.
At some point, a flood of such letters will generate a reaction that may result in redress.
Terrible news, but thanks for reporting it. I would like to see the MA AG bring legal action and criminal charges if possible against the hospital for denying care to patients. Is there a recommended way to influence a push in that direction? Providers should be on notice that they risk crippling legal consequences before they do things like this.
I am a Fenway Health patient. I had a long conversation with my PCP there this year about my fears of medicine being lost because of the administration. My PCP explicitly consoled me by saying that their new board member, Dallas Ducar, was hired to help find creative ways for all of their patients to retain access should the law turn. I feel very betrayed
I'm so sorry that they failed you.
Fuuuuuuuck. This is beyond comprehension. My kids are both over 19 so unaffected (for today). But this is THE PLACE in Boston - heck, for anyone in MA or New England with the ability to get there. I am so pissed I’m shaking. I’ve had to re-type every word. 💔💔💔
Of all fucking places... WHAT? I got a primary care practitioner there because I thought if there was going to be anyone who wouldn't throw us under the bus it would be THE gay hospital.
The Fenway Board and top management should resign.
For folks in the Boston area looking for alternatives, I highly recommend my hrt provider, Molly Nathanson at Syzygy Health in Framingham. Molly is non binary and formerly provided care at planned parenthood but currently runs their own trans centered practice, and will fight for you.
seconded on molly. she's wonderful
Fuck Fenway.
First, sack the CEO.
Second, sack the CLC and CCO.
Third, sack the board members or trustees who voted for this.
Fourthly, the new leadership must present an action plan in 48 hours in order to show they intend to guarantee all legal healthcare including transition and GAHT care for all patients of all ages in line with the best practices of the AMA, APA, the Endocrine Society of America, US PATH, and as legally required under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act 2010 and in compliance with the Massachusetts constitution.
Anything less and they are doing more harm than good to ALL THEIR PATIENTS.
I called and left a voice message - told them I was disgusted and that they should all be ashamed of themselves.
617.267.0900
It's a violation of State law. Sue the bastards into the ground. It's what I'm doing in Pennsylvania.
When politicians become doctors, and doctors becoming irrelevant, quietly fading away along with constitutional protections of all our inborn human rights.
Omg I worked there many years ago and never imagined they would harm their trans patients. I am saddened and sickened.
I don't like making it about age, yeah, this is egregious, anyone who's entering puberty is old enough to begin treatment, and 16-and-17-year-old people are old enough to potentially do any GAC available. I say so, so it should be so. Fuck Donald Trump's attempt to erase our people. We'll never back down, you're a warrior Erin and so am I.
This is sad and horrible. I guess the FQHC monies are more valuable than ethical treatments for folks.
Is this country capable of recovering from the destruction this 🤡 administration is doing?
If an FQHC loses its federal grant, it’s effectively closing its doors. And then even more vulnerable people are out of care. I am connected to some higher ups at a local FQHC and their absolute best intentions are being massively shook by the actions of this administration.💔
Justifying abusing transgender children in order to protect more vulnerable people is sick. It's also what liberals keep doing to trans people as a whole. It is literally irreparable harm to take away or deny gender affirming care to trans youth. No amount of surgery will ever give you back what you lost.
I don’t disagree. But to some extent it’s a Sophie’s choice, imo. Horrendous.
The first capitulation makes the next one easier. The more times they do this, the less likely they'll ever say no. They've already banned care for adults, since 18-year-olds are legally adults. There is no reason they won't keep bumping that age up. If we can justify sacrificing trans kids to the exact kinds of traumas we as trans adults had to suffer through untreated, then they'll be justifying us next when we're on the chopping block. When will Fenway and hospitals like it push back? IUD's? PrEP?
And if the feds pull the FQHC funding over refusal to comply, then the trans kids don’t get care anyways.
I’m not saying I agree with Fenway’s decision. But I am saying that based on my conversations with some people in another FQHC, I understand it.
Forcing this to a head means there's an actual fight. It's the only outcome that ends in trans kids getting care. Instead we're just waiting for them to drop the rest of us now. If they can reach into blue states to hurt our kids, they can reach in to hurt our adults. By complying in advance they have simply guaranteed that the unjust man will take another step back then demand them to meet him in the middle.
Better that they go down fighting than be chipped away at by our illegal federal government. Next they’ll be told there will be no federal dollars to any health center that treats gays and lesbians. Wake up Fenway - the state of MA is in fighting mode.
I worked for FQHC years ago, excellent community service, some in Houston started out as HIV clinics, now they serve so much more. I get it. Yes, this administration is screwing the marginalized population, any way it can. 😡😡😡
I was told by my source that the conversations have been increasingly frantic since earlier this October, when the main FQHC grant was found to have added a phrase that federal grants could be revoked at any time for “convenience.” 💔
Also trust that the AGs are involved, heavily. Just, awful, all around. And as the mom of a nonbinary prepubertal kid, trust that I hate that trans kids are the sacrificial lamb.
Are there good strategies anyone recommends for registering disapproval for a service provider like Fenway Health? I want to send an email or call somewhere to say I’m a patient and I hate what they’re doing, but I don’t know the best way in a situation like this
Some thoughts -
Write a letter to Fenway Patient Services telling them that you consider this a major breach of trust and you question how they can continue to deliver ANY care for ANY member of the LGBTQ+ community if they cannot practice medicine in compliance with state and federal law, which the executive order and HHS guidance DOES NOT have. Accordingly you will be seeking alternative care providers. Sign and send.
Print out another copy of that letter, and attach it to another letter addressed to Fenway Legal and Compliance Department and let them know you will be looking forward to joining any cooperative legal action at the state or other level, as a member of a group or class, and able and willing to testify to the harm this illegal decision is causing. Bid them a good day, sign and send.
Print out copies of BOTH letters, and send them attached with another letter to the MA Solicitor General, requesting information on any state action as a result of Fenway's illegal denial of healthcare to a class of persons known to suffer from systemic discrimination in violation of state and federal medical legislation (including the ACA 2010, Section 1557), and include a self-addressed and stamped envelope as you will expect a reply. Send this one "return receipt requested".
Share the idea with all and sundry.
At some point, a flood of such letters will generate a reaction that may result in redress.
Excellent, thank you
Well shit. Contact info? Suggested epistemological approach?
Terrible news, but thanks for reporting it. I would like to see the MA AG bring legal action and criminal charges if possible against the hospital for denying care to patients. Is there a recommended way to influence a push in that direction? Providers should be on notice that they risk crippling legal consequences before they do things like this.
Just wrote to their board here: communityfeedback@fenwayhealth.org.