WASHINGTON, D.C. — 1792 Exchange has sent formal letters to 568 major companies identified in the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), urging them to exclude transgender-related procedures and treatments for minor dependents from employer health plans.
The letters cite growing medical and scientific concerns about these interventions for children and urge companies to adopt clear protections similar to those used by Walmart, the world’s largest employer.
“Our message is clear: corporations should not fund experimental medical interventions for children,” said Douglas Napier, CEO and Executive Chairman of 1792 Exchange. “Authoritative reviews show these procedures can carry serious, often irreversible risks, with limited evidence of benefit for minors. Companies have both a responsibility and an opportunity to protect employee well-being, reduce liability, and refocus on core business operations.”
The effort is based on public data from the HRC’s February 2026 CEI report. Under CEI Criteria 2, companies that receive full points affirm comprehensive coverage for transgender procedures without exclusions for “medically necessary care.” Because most employer-sponsored plans also cover dependents, that coverage often extends to minors. By offering and publicizing these benefits, many companies are effectively promoting access to such procedures for covered children.
Key medical and scientific developments cited:
- The Cass Report in the United Kingdom and a recent Finland case study, which found that hormonal or surgical interventions did not address underlying mental health issues and were linked to further decline.
- A growing number of detransition lawsuits, including a February 2026 malpractice verdict awarding $2 million to detransitioner Fox Varian after a double mastectomy at age 16.
The letters also note that recent public opinion polls, including Pew Research, show strong and growing majorities of Americans—especially parents—oppose sex-denying medical interventions for minors.
Walmart Sets the Standard
Walmart has adopted a clear public carve-out in its Summary Plan Description: “Gender reassignment surgery is not considered medically necessary for individuals under the age of 18.” 1792 Exchange urges other companies to follow this approach.
Broader Corporate Shift Away from Activism
Participation in the HRC CEI among Fortune 500 companies fell 65% in 2026, dropping from 377 to 131. Dozens of companies have also ended financial support for HRC, choosing to refocus on business rather than divisive social agendas.
“1792 Exchange applauds companies that have already withdrawn from the CEI and ended HRC sponsorship,” said Napier. “We call on the remaining 568 companies to exit the CEI, adopt explicit protections for minors, and get back to business.”
The letters emphasize that 1792 Exchange’s analysis is based solely on publicly available information. The organization welcomes documentation from any company showing it does not extend such coverage to minors or has already made changes, and it stands ready to provide confidential pro bono assistance in drafting compliant policy carve-outs.
For more information or to review the full list of the 568 companies contacted, visit 1792exchange.com.
Media Contact:
press@1792exchange.com
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1792 Exchange – America’s leading provider of actionable data on corporate bias – is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances free speech, free exercise, and free enterprise by steering companies back to neutral on ideological issues.
