Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order prohibiting federal funding and support for gender-affirming medical procedures for minors, including surgeries, puberty blockers, and hormone therapies.
According to CNN, the order, signed Tuesday, states that the United States will not “fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support” gender transition procedures for individuals under the age of 19. It further emphasizes strict enforcement of laws restricting such treatments.
The directive instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to take necessary actions to curtail the use of gender-affirming care under federally funded programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, HHS is ordered to revoke its existing guidance on gender-affirming treatments and patient privacy.
The Department of Justice has also been tasked with investigating states that uphold access to these medical procedures.
The order calls for a review of the enforcement of federal laws against female genital mutilation on minors, suggesting potential legal scrutiny for states that protect gender-affirming care.
Trump’s executive order aligns with policies already enacted in many states. According to data from the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit tracking LGBTQ+ policies, 26 states have implemented laws restricting gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth.
The move also comes amid growing global debate on transgender healthcare. A 2023 review led by UK pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, known as the Cass Review, questioned the effectiveness of puberty blockers, stating that the rationale for early intervention was “unclear” and that mental health benefits were supported by “weak evidence.”
The findings have led to policy changes in the UK, though some experts have criticized the review’s methodology.
