HHS Bans Hospitals from Performing Gender-Transition Procedures on Minors
On December 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) made a significant announcement concerning the health care of minors. This decision aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order aimed at banning gender-transition procedures for children. The procedures in question are those that attempt to modify a child’s physical appearance to match an asserted identity contrary to their biological sex.
New Regulations on Gender-Transition Procedures
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will introduce a proposed rule to prohibit hospitals from performing these procedures on individuals under 18 years old. This rule is tied to participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs, which most U.S. hospitals are part of. The intention is clear: the federal government seeks to avoid partnership with facilities that may cause permanent harm to children.
Legislation and Health Care Standards
- Sections of the Social Security Act grant CMS authority to ensure patient safety.
- A separate notice will address federal Medicaid funding restrictions for gender-transition procedures on minors.
- Similar limitations will apply under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for individuals under 19.
Currently, 27 states have opted not to cover these procedures under Medicaid. The spectrum of gender-transition procedures includes puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgeries, which can potentially inflict irreversible physical damage.
Health Risks and Official Statements
The Biden administration’s attempt to classify gender dysphoria as a disability is also under review. HHS’s new proposals specify that gender dysphoria not being caused by physical impairments will not be viewed as a disability under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This clarity will empower health care providers to formulate evidence-based policies without risking federal civil rights violations.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. emphasized the administration’s commitment to ending unsafe practices that pose risks to children. “Our children deserve protection,” he stated. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz echoed these sentiments, highlighting the lack of solid evidence supporting the efficacy of gender-transition procedures for minors.
Enforcement Actions by the FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also taken steps in this realm. The agency is issuing warning letters to twelve companies for illegally marketing breast binders to minors. These devices, typically used post-mastectomy, should not be marketed to children for gender dysphoria treatment.
Clarifying Safety and Efficacy Standards
HHS recently published a report detailing the medical risks associated with gender-transition procedures in minors. Over the past four years, nearly 14,000 minors have undergone such procedures. Consequently, Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Brian Christine, reinforced that current medical evidence does not endorse these treatments as safe or effective.
In conclusion, the HHS’s actions represent a concerted effort to safeguard children’s health by reevaluating the standards of care regarding gender-transition procedures for minors. Health care providers are urged to adhere to evidence-based treatments to prevent exposing young individuals to long-term harm.
