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State Sen. Jamie Eldridge urges state action after Fenway Health move, proposes interstate compact to protect trans care
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Summary
In a Kelly's Quest interview, State Sen. Jamie Eldridge warned that federal funding threats are pushing some providers away from gender-affirming care and outlined state-level responses including an interstate compact, new nonprofits, and grassroots organizing.
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge said Massachusetts should consider state-level measures to protect transgender residents after recent federal funding threats prompted health providers to reassess services, during an interview on the podcast Kelly's Quest.
Eldridge, a state senator who chairs the judiciary committee as he described in the episode, summarized the two-part public accommodations measures the legislature passed and said opponents quickly framed the protections as a public-safety risk. "The government cannot discriminate against people based on their gender identity," Eldridge said, describing protections for housing and employment and the separate public-accommodations law opponents labeled the "bathroom bill." He called the backlash a politically motivated wedge issue aimed at dividing voters.
Why it matters: Eldridge warned that federal threats to withdraw funding have pressured institutions that serve LGBTQ patients and have prompted at least one major provider to retreat from some services. "We're seeing, you know, retreat, and it's extremely disturbing," he said, adding that hospitals and centers such as Fenway Health were being targeted. Kelly noted Fenway's national role in HIV and LGBTQ care; Eldridge said Fenway now provides care to "over 30,000 people," and that even a small reduction in youth services could presage broader cutbacks.
Eldridge outlined several state-level options to preserve access. He proposed an interstate compact among like-minded states to coordinate protections and reduce reliance on federal funding that could be conditioned on policy changes: "Should there be an interstate compact around health care that would obviously include, you know, gender affirming surgery?" he asked. He also suggested creating a nonprofit that would not take federal funds so the federal government "can't pull any money" to force policy changes, and he pointed to recent successful lawsuits filed by the state attorney general on related federal funding disputes.
On political strategy, Eldridge urged organizing and electoral engagement. He said midterm elections, local rallies and constituent pressure are central to protecting rights: "Getting involved in a campaign... showing up at these rallies has been incredibly powerful," he said, and he announced he will speak at a March 28 "No Kings" rally in Littleton, Acton and Maynard.
Eldridge highlighted legislative wins as context: he cited the Parentage Act, which he said secured equal parental rights for people who adopt, and the legislature's Shield Act, which he said guarantees gender-affirming surgery and reproductive health care. Still, he warned, more policy work and outreach are needed as some providers reconsider offering care.
The interview closed with Eldridge and the host urging greater community forums—at churches, synagogues and community centers—to share lived experiences and counter disinformation. Kelly closed the episode by asking listeners to "get active" and to help turn a whisper of support into a roar.
No formal legislative action was announced during the interview. Eldridge framed the proposals as options for further consideration and encouraged organizing and electoral participation as immediate steps.
