“In a time when gender affirming care is under constant attack by the federal government, dispensing prescriptions in bulk will give patients from Illinois and others traveling from out of state for care the assurance that they will have access to needed medications,” Pritzker’s press release says.
For him to be this aware and proactive about our needs is very encouraging. When this is all over, we will all remember those who protected us and stood by us.
This is a much needed relaxation from barriers and limit on information. The thing I can't stand rn about living in Chicago is the rate at which our providers are ending care. Far too many are packing up and leaving the state, leaving us with longer lines and waits. Dr. Cripps just fled, and Northwesterns wait list was already over 6 years for care. We're swamped and providers are leaving.
In response to this I have sent the following letter to my Governor and will also forward it to my state congressman
I am writing to urge you to make New Jersey the national leader in protecting the rights, dignity, privacy, and healthcare of transgender residents by working with the Legislature to introduce companion legislation modeled after Illinois' recent landmark laws to complement New Jersey's existing shield law.
Illinois has demonstrated what courageous leadership looks like. Their new laws preserve gender markers on state-issued identification, expand access to medically necessary hormone therapy, and protect sensitive medical information from government surveillance and misuse. These are not merely legislative victories—they are a declaration that in Illinois, LGBTQ+ lives matter, medical privacy matters, and healthcare decisions belong to patients and their doctors, not politicians.
New Jersey has long been recognized as a leader in civil rights. Now is the time to strengthen that legacy. As attacks on the transgender community continue across the country, our state cannot afford to stand still. We must continue moving forward.
I respectfully ask that you work with legislative leaders to introduce companion legislation that will:
Preserve accurate gender markers on all New Jersey-issued identification.
Guarantee continued access to medically necessary gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone therapy.
Strengthen protections for confidential medical records by limiting the collection and disclosure of sensitive information through prescription monitoring programs and other government databases.
Expand legal protections for hospitals, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide lawful gender-affirming care.
Protect transgender residents and healthcare providers from out-of-state investigations, subpoenas, and politically motivated attempts to interfere with lawful medical care delivered in New Jersey.
The right to medical privacy is one of the cornerstones of a free society. Prescription drug monitoring systems were created to combat prescription fraud and "doctor shopping," not to become tools that can be exploited to monitor or target individuals seeking lawful healthcare. Illinois recognized that risk and acted to better protect sensitive medical information. New Jersey should do the same.
At a time when some states are restricting freedoms, New Jersey should reaffirm that equality, privacy, and compassion are not negotiable. By adopting legislation similar to Illinois, New Jersey would send a powerful message that our state will defend the constitutional rights and personal dignity of every resident.
Illinois has raised the standard. I urge New Jersey not simply to follow, but to lead. Let our state once again demonstrate that when civil rights and personal freedom are threatened, New Jersey stands on the right side of history.
The message should be unmistakable:
In New Jersey, LGBTQ+ lives matter. Privacy matters. Healthcare matters. Equality matters. And discrimination has no place here.
Thank you for your leadership and for your commitment to protecting the rights of every New Jerseyan. I respectfully ask that you make this legislation a priority during the upcoming legislative session.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs were created to stop doctor shopping, prescription fraud, and opioid abuse—not to give politicians a roadmap into Americans' private medical decisions.
Illinois refused to let a tool designed for public safety become a vehicle for government intrusion. By limiting the reporting of certain medications related to transgender and women's healthcare, the state has strengthened patient privacy while preserving the program's original purpose.
Bravo to Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois for putting privacy and civil liberties first. Medical records should never become political weapons. Every state should follow Illinois' lead before fear and ideology replace patient rights and medical confidentiality.
“In a time when gender affirming care is under constant attack by the federal government, dispensing prescriptions in bulk will give patients from Illinois and others traveling from out of state for care the assurance that they will have access to needed medications,” Pritzker’s press release says.
For him to be this aware and proactive about our needs is very encouraging. When this is all over, we will all remember those who protected us and stood by us.
Pritzker is sent by Heaven. Not like Trump who was sent because they ran out of locusts!
That’s my Gov!!!❤️
Pritzker seems like a pretty cool guy.
This is a much needed relaxation from barriers and limit on information. The thing I can't stand rn about living in Chicago is the rate at which our providers are ending care. Far too many are packing up and leaving the state, leaving us with longer lines and waits. Dr. Cripps just fled, and Northwesterns wait list was already over 6 years for care. We're swamped and providers are leaving.
In response to this I have sent the following letter to my Governor and will also forward it to my state congressman
I am writing to urge you to make New Jersey the national leader in protecting the rights, dignity, privacy, and healthcare of transgender residents by working with the Legislature to introduce companion legislation modeled after Illinois' recent landmark laws to complement New Jersey's existing shield law.
Illinois has demonstrated what courageous leadership looks like. Their new laws preserve gender markers on state-issued identification, expand access to medically necessary hormone therapy, and protect sensitive medical information from government surveillance and misuse. These are not merely legislative victories—they are a declaration that in Illinois, LGBTQ+ lives matter, medical privacy matters, and healthcare decisions belong to patients and their doctors, not politicians.
New Jersey has long been recognized as a leader in civil rights. Now is the time to strengthen that legacy. As attacks on the transgender community continue across the country, our state cannot afford to stand still. We must continue moving forward.
I respectfully ask that you work with legislative leaders to introduce companion legislation that will:
Preserve accurate gender markers on all New Jersey-issued identification.
Guarantee continued access to medically necessary gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone therapy.
Strengthen protections for confidential medical records by limiting the collection and disclosure of sensitive information through prescription monitoring programs and other government databases.
Expand legal protections for hospitals, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide lawful gender-affirming care.
Protect transgender residents and healthcare providers from out-of-state investigations, subpoenas, and politically motivated attempts to interfere with lawful medical care delivered in New Jersey.
The right to medical privacy is one of the cornerstones of a free society. Prescription drug monitoring systems were created to combat prescription fraud and "doctor shopping," not to become tools that can be exploited to monitor or target individuals seeking lawful healthcare. Illinois recognized that risk and acted to better protect sensitive medical information. New Jersey should do the same.
At a time when some states are restricting freedoms, New Jersey should reaffirm that equality, privacy, and compassion are not negotiable. By adopting legislation similar to Illinois, New Jersey would send a powerful message that our state will defend the constitutional rights and personal dignity of every resident.
Illinois has raised the standard. I urge New Jersey not simply to follow, but to lead. Let our state once again demonstrate that when civil rights and personal freedom are threatened, New Jersey stands on the right side of history.
The message should be unmistakable:
In New Jersey, LGBTQ+ lives matter. Privacy matters. Healthcare matters. Equality matters. And discrimination has no place here.
Thank you for your leadership and for your commitment to protecting the rights of every New Jerseyan. I respectfully ask that you make this legislation a priority during the upcoming legislative session.
Respectfully,
Come to Illinois, y'all—and stay as long as you need 🫂🌈
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs were created to stop doctor shopping, prescription fraud, and opioid abuse—not to give politicians a roadmap into Americans' private medical decisions.
Illinois refused to let a tool designed for public safety become a vehicle for government intrusion. By limiting the reporting of certain medications related to transgender and women's healthcare, the state has strengthened patient privacy while preserving the program's original purpose.
Bravo to Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois for putting privacy and civil liberties first. Medical records should never become political weapons. Every state should follow Illinois' lead before fear and ideology replace patient rights and medical confidentiality.
Thanks, S. Baum, for this excellent and reassuring report.
Thanks, JB Pritzker and Illinois legislators for doing this.
All Blue states should have this type of law in place.
Thank you Gov Pritzker!!!