Gavin Newsom signs budget with $26M safety net for trans youth care amid Trump cuts

California said it will set up a safety net to protect transgender youth if the federal government won’t. A state budget just signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom includes $26 million in one-time funding to protect access to healthcare for trans youth, according to LAist. Another $30 million was budgeted to cover funding gaps for providers after the Trump administration cut funding to the state’s Medi-Cal program and other revenue sources.“This historic investment will help keep care accessible, support the providers doing this lifesaving work, and remind trans young people that California will not abandon them,” said Kathy Moehlig, TransFamily Support Services’ director, in a statement to the media outlet.Related: California bill introduced to seal adults' gender transition documentsNewsom touted the budget as evidence that states can budget responsibly and ensure vital services remain available to the public.“For decades, we’ve been told that government has to choose between balancing the books and investing in people. California proved that’s a false choice,” Newsom said.“This budget reflects years of disciplined decisions that built historic reserves, paid down debt, strengthened our economy, and made transformational investments in education, healthcare, housing, infrastructure, and opportunity. We’re leaving California stronger than we found it — and leaving the next generation a state that’s fiscally sound, economically dominant, and ready for whatever comes next.”The governor didn’t specifically address support for transgender health care services. LAist reported that Newsom’s approval came after months of budget negotiations as California worked to close years of shortfalls. His initial proposal did not include the gender-affirming care fund, but lawmakers restored it, and the funding remained in the final budget.But LGBTQ+ advocacy groups had lobbied the California Assembly to include the funding. A coalition of groups suggested the