The US federal government has announced a new policy removing funding for puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for transgender minors, citing safety concerns and evidence gaps, amid growing political and medical debate.
The Trump administration has finalised a rule that will end federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program funding for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender-related surgeries for minors, according to the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The policy is set to take effect on October 13 and will cut off support for these treatments under both programmes, while leaving mental health care intact, AP reported.
CMS said the decision follows an internal review that found what it described as evidence gaps and serious safety concerns around these interventions for children. In its announcement, the agency argued that the treatments can carry long-term risks and do not have enough reliable evidence of clinical benefit to justify taxpayer funding. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said the move was intended to protect children and reduce spending on procedures the administration views as irreversible.
The policy is part of a wider push by the Trump administration against gender-related medical care for minors. According to CMS and HHS statements, federal officials had already been examining hospital practices and the quality standards used in paediatric gender care. The administration also referenced the Cass review in Britain, which scrutinised the evidence base for youth gender medicine and has been cited by opponents of such treatment in the US.
AP reported that mental health services for transgender youth will continue to be covered, but other treatments will be phased out by April 2027. Axios said the rule would end federal support for hormone therapy, puberty blockers and gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth. The policy has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and major medical groups, including the American Medical Association, which continue to support access to such care for young people with gender dysphoria.
The change follows months of mounting federal pressure on hospitals. Stat reported earlier this year that more than 40 hospitals had paused or ended gender-related treatment for minors since January 2025. In a separate statement, HHS said it was also moving to bar hospitals that perform these procedures from participation in Medicare and Medicaid, underscoring how far the administration is prepared to go in reshaping federal involvement in the issue.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
