Harvard Medical School Delays Transgender Health Care Course Following Legal Questions Over Fee Waivers

Harvard Medical School (HMS) has delayed its annual continuing education course on transgender health care following questions raised by a conservative outlet about the legality of offering fee waivers specifically to transgender and gender-diverse clinicians. The course, developed in partnership with The Fenway Institute, was designed to equip medical professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality, affirming care to transgender patients—a population that continues to face significant barriers within the U.S. health care system .

The course, titled"Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health: A Core Course for the Whole Care Team," is an accredited continuing education program aimed at physicians, nurses, behavioral health specialists, and other providers. Its curriculum covers a range of topics, including hormone therapy, gender identity in children, legal considerations for transgender patients, and best practices for inclusive patient communication. The program is accredited by the American Medical Association for continuing medical education (CME) credit, a requirement for many licensed professionals to maintain their credentials .

Developed with The Fenway Institute—a research and policy center that is part of Fenway Health, a leading LGBTQIA+ community health provider—the course has played a key role in addressing widespread gaps in provider knowledge about transgender health. Research consistently shows that many clinicians feel underprepared to care for transgender patients, leading to disparities in care, misdiagnosis, and, at times, outright discrimination .

The controversy began when the National Review, a conservative media outlet, contacted Harvard Medical School with questions about the constitutionality of the course’s fee waiver program. In previous years, the course offered full or partial tuition waivers—typically around $650—for transgender and gender-diverse participants, a policy intended to increase access for clinicians from underrepresented backgrounds .

National Review questioned whether offering such waivers based on gender identity could violate federal anti-discrimination laws. Shortly after the inquiry, Harvard Medical School removed references to the fee waivers from its website and announced that the course would be rescheduled later in the academic year .

A spokesperson for Harvard Medical School stated: “The continuing education course … has been postponed and will be rescheduled for later this academic year. HMS remains committed to ensuring that the courses we accredit comply with applicable laws” .

The decision to postpone the course has prompted concern and frustration among medical professionals, legal experts, and LGBTQ+ advocates. Many worry that legal challenges like this could discourage other educational institutions from developing or offering similar training programs, further limiting access to affirming care for transgender patients .

Dr. Alex Keuroghlian, director of The Fenway Institute’s National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, stated in previous interviews that comprehensive training is essential for improving health outcomes and reducing barriers for transgender communities. While the center continues to provide free online resources, advocates argue that accredited, interactive training remains crucial for clinical skill-building .

Legal experts appear divided on whether the fee waiver policy would have constituted a violation of anti-discrimination statutes. Some argue that waivers based on gender identity could be interpreted as excluding other groups and may not comply with the letter of federal law. Others contend that such policies are necessary to address longstanding inequities in medical education and representation—particularly as transgender people remain vastly underrepresented in health care professions .

The delay comes at a time when transgender people in the United States face growing legislative and social challenges. More than a dozen states have enacted laws restricting gender-affirming care for minors in the past two years, and access to competent, affirming providers remains limited in many regions .

For many advocates and health equity organizations, the postponement of Harvard’s course is more than an administrative issue—it represents an additional barrier for transgender people seeking quality health care. Training opportunities like this one are critical for addressing the knowledge gap in the medical workforce and for ensuring that transgender patients receive evidence-based, compassionate care .

As of this reporting, Harvard Medical School and The Fenway Institute have not announced a new date for the rescheduled course. In the interim, The Fenway Institute’s National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center continues to offer free online materials for clinicians seeking to improve their competency in transgender health .

The outcome of this situation may set a precedent for how higher education institutions navigate the intersection of diversity initiatives, legal compliance, and the urgent need for specialized training in transgender health. As debate continues, one point remains clear: access to affirming, competent transgender health care is a critical issue, and the medical community’s ability to provide it hinges on robust, inclusive education.