Trump Administration Moves to Cut Off Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

The Trump administration has announced regulatory actions aimed at cutting off gender-affirming care for minors, according to multiple reports. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled proposals to block the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical interventions for transgender youth.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. labeled these procedures as 'malpractice,' claiming they 'rob children of their futures.' This initiative threatens access in nearly two dozen states where such treatments are currently legal and funded by Medicaid.

Advocates for transgender youth have condemned the actions, stating they will put lives at risk. Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen from The Trevor Project expressed concern over federal efforts to strip transgender youth of necessary healthcare.

While the proposals are not yet final, they could deter healthcare providers from offering care, especially since many hospitals rely on Medicare and Medicaid funding. Additionally, the administration plans to exclude gender dysphoria from the definition of a disability and has issued warnings to companies marketing chest binders.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has criticized the proposed rules, emphasizing that care decisions should be made by patients, families, and physicians rather than politicians. These actions are part of a broader trend under the Trump administration to restrict transgender rights, including previous executive orders that recognized only two genders and legislation targeting healthcare providers treating minors.

Recent polling indicates that about half of U.S. adults support the administration's stance on transgender issues, reflecting a divided public opinion on this matter.