Mass League Statement on Fenway Health

For decades, Fenway Health has been a pioneering, national leader in caring for the LGBTQ+ community, advancing research and education in HIV/AIDS care through The Fenway Institute, and in caring for transgender individuals. Through its broad range of services, including primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care, Fenway serves patients from across the Commonwealth providing them with the care they need and deserve.

Fenway doesn’t just provide health care – it has always been a haven for unjustly marginalized groups. The Mass League is proud of the compassionate and affirming care that Fenway has long provided to the transgender community. The Mass League stands shoulder to shoulder with them, as they have had to make the incredibly difficult decision to stop providing medical, gender-affirming care (hormones and puberty blockers) to patients under age 19. All other care and services for patients of all ages and backgrounds will remain available and unchanged, at this time.

Fenway is making this decision now in response to a federal policy change that went into effect on October 1, 2025, with the intention of remaining compliant, financially viable, and able to continue offering quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, support, and other services to all their patients. Fenway Health is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and is required to maintain compliance with shifting Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) requirements and regulations. Being an FQHC allows Fenway to deliver high-quality comprehensive care for more than 30,000 residents of New England and beyond. The loss of the FQHC designation and associated funding would significantly challenge Fenway’s ability to continue meeting its mission.

In order to truly make America healthier and curb unnecessary costs in our health care system, we need to ensure that patients have access to the right care, at the right cost, in the right settings—regardless of their race, socio-economic status, gender identity or zip code.

“Fenway has been the model for inclusive and responsive care for over 55 years, and this recent decision doesn’t alter that commitment,” said Michael Curry, Esq., President & CEO of the Mass League. “Discontinuing services for any of their patients comes with great disappointment, and it’s palpable, visible on the faces of every staff member, patient, and board member that walks through their doors. I’m confident that this decision was made with sound and thoughtful reasoning and ultimately focused on the best interest of the health center and all its patients.”

Fenway patients under age 19, who were undergoing treatments for gender-affirming care, will be able to continue receiving those services through another provider, while the health center continues to meet their other primary health care needs.

“The ultimate goal here is to protect the institution, maintain access for the LGBTQ+ community, continue the life-saving research—and, quite frankly, survive. Fenway Health needs our support now, more than ever,” said President Curry.

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