U.S. Health Department Moves to Limit Transgender Medical Care for Youth

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced on December 18, 2025, a series of proposed regulatory measures aimed at effectively prohibiting gender-affirming medical care for minors across the nation. These actions include withholding Medicare and Medicaid funding from hospitals and providers that offer puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgical interventions to individuals under 18, even in states where such care remains legally permissible. The initiatives build on prior executive orders from President Donald Trump restricting transgender-related policies.

During a press conference, Kennedy described gender-affirming procedures as "malpractice," asserting that they inflict lasting physical and psychological harm on vulnerable youth and fail to meet recognized standards of healthcare. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz outlined proposed rules that would bar facilities from participating in federal programs if they provide such treatments to minors, while also prohibiting direct reimbursement for these services under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program for those under 19.

The proposals contradict guidelines from major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, which endorse gender-affirming care as evidence-based and potentially lifesaving for transgender youth experiencing gender dysphoria. Critics, such as representatives from The Trevor Project and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, warned that the measures endanger lives by limiting access to necessary interventions and set a precedent for government interference in established medical practices.

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Advocates for transgender families expressed profound concern, noting that the funding restrictions could force many providers to cease offering care due to financial implications, as nearly all U.S. hospitals rely on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Some families in states protective of transgender rights reported heightened anxiety, with discussions turning to potential relocation abroad if access becomes untenable.

Although the rules require a formal rulemaking process with public comment periods before finalization, and are anticipated to face legal challenges, their announcement has already influenced provider decisions, with several institutions preemptively halting services. The moves align with broader administration efforts and recent congressional actions targeting transgender healthcare, underscoring ongoing national debates over youth medical interventions.

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