Key facts
- The Trump administration finalized a rule to end federal support for gender-affirming care for minors under Medicaid and CHIP.
- The rule, effective in October, removes federal funding for puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for gender dysphoria in minors.
- The administration cited weak evidence of benefit and risks of irreversible harm as justification for the funding cut.
- The measure is part of a broader rollback of transgender rights by the administration.
- Children currently on hormone therapy through Medicaid or CHIP will receive six months of continued coverage to taper off.
The Trump administration has finalized a rule to end federal support for gender-affirming care for minors enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), with the policy set to take effect in October. The rule removes federal funding for puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for gender dysphoria in individuals under 18 in Medicaid and under 19 in CHIP. The administration stated that it is following the science, saving taxpayer dollars, and protecting children from potentially irreversible harm, citing weak evidence of benefit and risks associated with these treatments. This move marks one of the administration's most significant restrictions on transgender healthcare and is part of a broader effort to roll back protections for transgender individuals. Major U.S. medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, support such care and warn against restricting it, asserting that decisions should rest with children, parents, and healthcare professionals. The rule is expected to lead to clashes with states that have enacted 'shield laws' protecting gender-related care.