HHS Cuts Funding, Access to Care for Transgender Minors
The Biden administration is making significant changes to healthcare access for transgender minors. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed a series of actions aimed at restricting transition-related care. This includes cutting federal funding for hospitals that provide services to minors undergoing gender transition.
Key Changes in Transgender Care Funding
The proposed rules by HHS could lead to the withdrawal of federal support for hospitals offering puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgeries for transgender minors. According to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., this measure aligns with a broader effort to limit access to medical procedures he describes as “sex-rejecting.” Kennedy added that the approach contradicts the medical consensus and harms vulnerable youth.
Statements from Medical Professionals
Leaders in pediatrics have criticized the proposed changes. Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, stated that these policies misrepresent the needs of children and families. She warned that governmental interference in healthcare decisions sets a dangerous precedent.
Federal Rulemaking Process
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin a rulemaking process.
- The new rules will bar Medicaid funding for transition-related care.
- A 60-day public comment period will precede the finalization of these proposals.
Restrictions and Consequences
The proposed restrictions are part of a growing trend across the country. Recent reports indicate that 27 states have already enacted similar measures limiting access to transition-related healthcare for minors. Families seeking care are often forced to travel to states with more favorable laws, or even relocate abroad.
Impact on Transgender Minors
Research shows that an estimated 724,000 youth between ages 13 and 17 in the U.S. identify as transgender. However, only a small fraction of these individuals receive transition-related healthcare. A recent study found that less than 0.1% of adolescents aged 8 to 17 with private insurance were prescribed puberty blockers or gender-affirming hormones.
Legislative Landscape
In parallel to HHS’s actions, a recent House bill proposed severe penalties for medical professionals who provide gender-affirming care to minors. This measure, introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, could treat such treatment as a felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Future of Transgender Healthcare
As the federal government continues to focus on limiting access to transgender healthcare for minors, advocacy groups are preparing for further legal and public battles. The proposed changes by HHS could significantly alter the landscape of transgender care in the United States, raising concerns about the rights and health of transgender minors.
