The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced a policy to block federal funding for puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for minors, prompting debate over child welfare and medical ethics.
The American College of Pediatricians has welcomed a federal decision it says will end the use of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program money for medical interventions aimed at changing a child’s sex characteristics. In a statement, the group said the move by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services would stop public funding for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for children and teenagers.
The organisation framed the change as a safeguard for young people, arguing that children who are distressed about their sex should receive psychological support rather than drugs or operations. Its leaders said such treatments can carry lasting risks, including infertility, reduced sexual function and lower bone density, though those claims remain part of a wider and sharply disputed debate over paediatric gender care.
CMS had already signalled a tougher stance in December 2025, when it announced proposed rules to bar hospitals from carrying out what it described as sex-rejecting procedures on minors as a condition of participating in Medicare and Medicaid. A separate CMS notice and an Office of Management and Budget entry later indicated the rule was still in the regulatory pipeline, with publication expected in September 2026, underscoring that the policy process has been moving in stages.
The policy has also drawn opposition from medical groups that say coverage limits could deny care to vulnerable patients. The American College of Physicians told CMS in written comments that the proposal lacked strong evidence on safety and effectiveness and could harm children by restricting access to treatment, while the American Hospital Association raised concern about broadening Medicare participation rules to prohibit specific therapies.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
