Gender-affirming surgeries in the U.S. have seen a significant increase, nearly tripling from around 4,500 in 2016 to 13,000 by 2019. This rise is attributed to improved health coverage rather than an increase in the transgender population. Medicare lifted its ban on coverage in 2014, and several state Medicaid programs and private insurers followed, leading to greater access to these procedures. Genital surgeries specifically increased from about 1,600 to 4,000 during this period. The field has evolved with more physicians seeking training, resulting in advanced surgical techniques. However, political pushback threatens this progress, with 26 states passing laws limiting access to gender-affirming care for youth since 2021, and some states proposing restrictions for adults as well. Despite these challenges, the surgeries are associated with significant mental health benefits, including a 42% reduction in psychological distress and a 44% reduction in suicidal ideation among those who have undergone the procedures.
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