GLAD Law is advocating for legislation in Rhode Island to protect access to testosterone as part of safe, effective transgender health care while strengthening patient privacy.

Why Testosterone Access Matters for Transgender Healthcare

Testosterone is an important part of gender transition care for many transgender people. When prescribed by a medical provider and monitored through regular lab testing, testosterone is safe, effective medical treatment. Recently, GLAD Law submitted testimony in support of H8318 and S2889, legislation that would protect providers and patients who prescribe or use testosterone as part of safe, effective medical treatment from having their sensitive medical information disclosed to out-of-state actors for political purposes without their consent.

What Would Bill H8318/S2889 Do?

By exempting testosterone prescriptions from Rhode Island’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), a state-run electronic database that collects and shares information on controlled substances dispensed by pharmacies in Rhode Island, patients would have their sensitive medical information safeguarded. This change would preserve the PDMP’s role in monitoring drugs that pose serious addiction risks while reducing unnecessary privacy risks for people who use testosterone as medically prescribed care.

How Could PDMP Data Be Used Against Transgender People?

PDMP data is different from ordinary medical records. Although many people assume prescription records are protected by HIPAA, Rhode Island’s PDMP is a state run government database, and access to that data is controlled by state law. In the current political climate, the law currently allows for those out-of-state to seek access to PDMP data to identify, investigate, sue, or harass providers and patients connected to lawful gender-affirming care. And there’s already a historical precedent for this issue, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has used PDMP data to identify and sue providers who provided testosterone without a warrant or judicial oversight.

Nationally, transgender health care is under an unprecedented level of attack. The risk that PDMP data will be misused to harm transgender people and their health care providers is significant – and the need for Rhode Island to address that risk is urgent. Read our testimony on H8318 and S2889 to learn more about why testosterone should be removed from the PDMP.

FAQ

What is Rhode Island’s PDMP?

Rhode Island’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is a state-run database that collects and shares information about controlled substances dispensed by pharmacies.

Why does GLAD Law support removing testosterone from Rhode Island’s PDMP?

GLAD Law supports removing testosterone from Rhode Island’s PDMP because it is safe, effective medical care when prescribed and monitored by a provider, and including it in the PDMP creates privacy risks for transgender patients and their providers.

How could PDMP data be used against transgender people?

PDMP data could be used by hostile actors to identify patients or providers connected to transgender care, especially as transgender health care is being targeted by laws, investigations, and political attacks across the country.

Is PDMP data protected by HIPAA?

No, PDMP data isn’t protected by HIPAA. Since Rhode Island’s PDMP is a state-run database, it’s not protected in the same way as medical records held by doctors, hospitals, or pharmacies.