The administration of President Donald Trump announced a series of regulatory measures on Thursday aimed at effectively banning gender-affirming care for minors, escalating its offensive against the transgender community in the United States.
Spearheaded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., these actions represent the Republican government's most significant effort to date to curtail the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgical interventions for transgender children and adolescents, as reported by Telemundo.
Federal Funding Cuts as a Key Strategy
The core of the proposals is to withdraw federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals and medical centers that provide gender-affirming care to minors. This move threatens the continuation of such services even in nearly two dozen states where these treatments remain legal and publicly funded.
According to research group KFF, Medicare and Medicaid programs cover approximately 44% of national hospital expenses, making this measure a significant pressure point on the healthcare system.
Additionally, the proposals explicitly prohibit the use of Medicaid funds to cover treatments such as puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for those under 18.
A Stance Opposed by Medical Experts
The proposals contradict recommendations from most major U.S. medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, which have warned against the dangers of restricting access to medical care for gender dysphoria.
In defense of the initiative, Kennedy stated: “The so-called gender-affirming care has caused lasting physical and psychological harm to vulnerable young people. This is not medicine; it’s negligence,” he declared during the plan’s presentation.
Additional Measures Announced
The HHS announcement also includes:
- FDA warnings to 12 manufacturers of chest binders, accusing them of “illegal marketing” to minors as a treatment for gender dysphoria.
- An attempt to reverse the inclusion of gender dysphoria as a disability, a policy promoted by the Joe Biden administration.
These actions are part of a broader strategy to restrict any form of recognition or medical care related to gender identity in minors.
Reactions and Potential Legal Challenges
Civil rights organizations reacted strongly. The Human Rights Campaign accused the Trump Administration of trying to “force providers to make an impossible decision: abandon trans youth or lose federal funding.”
“These actions place Donald Trump and RFK Jr. in doctors’ offices, stripping medical decisions from families and handing them over to the most radical anti-LGBTQ+ elements,” stated Kelley Robinson, president of the organization, according to El País.
A Long Regulatory Path Ahead
The proposals are not yet final or legally binding. They must undergo a 60-day public comment period, followed by regulatory reviews, and are likely to face legal challenges.
Nevertheless, the announcement marks a significant blow to transgender individuals in the U.S., especially minors, whose access to such care is already restricted in over half the states.
A Sustained Offensive Since January
Since returning to the White House, Trump has pursued an aggressive agenda against transgender rights. On January 20, his first day in office, he signed an executive order recognizing only two “immutable” sexes, male and female, and instructed the HHS to end what he called “the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”
Subsequently, the government initiated investigations into doctors and clinics, leading more than 20 hospitals to reduce or close programs for transgender minors.
This week, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved a bill that would criminalize providing gender-affirming care to minors, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison for doctors. Another bill prohibiting Medicaid payments for these treatments is expected to be voted on soon.
Meanwhile, the debate over gender-affirming care has become one of the most polarizing issues in current American politics, with far-reaching legal, medical, and social implications.
FAQs on Gender-Affirming Care Policies
What are the new measures introduced by the Trump Administration regarding gender-affirming care for minors?
The Trump Administration proposed regulatory measures to effectively ban gender-affirming care for minors by cutting federal Medicaid and Medicare funding to providers offering such services.
How do these measures impact the current healthcare system?
By withdrawing federal funds, these measures place significant pressure on the healthcare system, potentially leading to the discontinuation of gender-affirming services even in states where they remain legal.
Are these proposals final and enforceable?
No, the proposals are not final. They must go through a 60-day public comment period and regulatory reviews, and they are likely to be contested in court.