Hundreds of major US companies still offer coverage for trans drugs, surgeries to minors despite latest medical guidance

More than 500 U.S. companies offer benefits that cover transgender surgeries and drugs for children, according to 1792 Exchange, a nonprofit that encourages businesses to return to business and remain neutral on social issues.

“This is unacceptable. Corporations should not be in the business of ‘transing kids,’ which is to say, funding a mass medical experiment on children,” 1792 Exchange posted on X.

Oftentimes, children are the primary audience of such companies, including Disney, Lions Gate Entertainment, Mattel, Sony Pictures and Wendy’s. But these same companies offer “’gender transition’ drugs and surgeries that permanently and catastrophically devastate the minds, bodies, and souls of children who are covered under employee plans,” according to 1792.

The organization conducted research based on the newly released 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which rates companies based on their ideological commitments and encourages these businesses to implement woke policies. Category two of the CEI evaluates companies based on “transgender benefits” offered to employees.

Any company that earned either a perfect score on the CEI or full points in category two covers the transition of minors in its benefits, 1792 Director of Research Dustin DeVito explained in an interview. In total, at least 568 companies provide such coverage.

This year the CEI offered less transparency than prior years, when it released a searchable PDF detailing exact sub-category qualifications such as transgender benefits.

“Transparency matters. Parents, shareholders, and customers deserve to know exactly who is funding harm to children,” 1792 says.

Companies themselves can also be more transparent, and 1792 is encouraging them to follow Walmart’s example, which has published its benefits online and explicitly excluded coverage for “gender reassignment surgery” for minors, according to DeVito.

“Part of the reason we’re doing this initiative is to encourage companies to publish that information, or to give shareholders clarity on their policies in the area,” he said.

Walmart also proves that a company can dictate to insurance companies what its coverages should look like, putting to rest the myth that plan administrators sometimes require transgender policies, DeVito added.

“Walmart is the biggest company in the world, and their administrators depend on what region of the United States you live in,” he explained. “So, even with a variety of administrators across the country, even being the biggest company, they’re able to post their public document, and then the administrators are bound to follow that document.”

Pro-trans insurance policies contradict latest medical data

Companies have no excuses, not even the justification of the medical community, DeVito said, referencing the recent retreat from minor transgender surgeries by both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Medical Association.

Despite these shifts, many companies remain stagnant in their policies.

“They have not revisited the decision. They’ve just let things be the status quo,” DeVito said.

But customers and shareholders have the power to influence these companies, he said.

“The question is, how do we educate and engage to get those great businesses we love and rely on to change course for the betterment of society and everybody?” he asked.

Individuals who hold company stock – as little as $2,000 for three years – can directly engage the company and propose changes to its policies, DeVito said. But even consumers without any company stock can confront policies they dislike by advocating online, he added.

“As an individual, anyone can download social media. Anyone can promote this content,” he said, referencing the viral clips from social advocate Robby Starbuck, who has discussed many of these corporate issues.

“Part of it is being willing to promote and engage that kind of content that’s shining a light on it in the first place,” he said.

Ultimately, companies serve consumers, not ideologies or political agendas. When customers are frustrated, their concerns are top priority.

“It’s a smart move: protect kids, reduce liability, refocus on business, and earn trust from parents, employees, and shareholders,” 1792 writes on X.