United States President, Donald Trump has signed an executive order prohibiting federal funding for gender-affirming medical procedures for minors under the age of 19.
The order, signed on Tuesday, bans surgeries, puberty blockers, and hormone therapies for transgender youth and directs strict enforcement of laws restricting such treatments.
According to CNN, the order states that the U.S. government will not “fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support” gender transition procedures for minors.
The directive instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to restrict gender-affirming careunder federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.
Orders HHS to revoke existing guidance supporting gender-affirming treatments and review privacy protections for transgender patients.
Directs the Department of Justice to investigate states that allow access to gender-affirming care.
Calls for federal scrutiny of laws against female genital mutilation, suggesting possible legal action against states that protect transgender healthcare for minors.
The move aligns with policies already implemented in 26 U.S. states, which have restricted transgender healthcare for minors according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ policy tracker.
The order also comes amid a global debate on transgender healthcare. In 2023, a UK-led review by pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass known as the Cass Review questioned the effectiveness of puberty blockers, stating that evidence for mental health benefits was weak.
The review led to policy changes in the UK, but some experts have criticized its methodology
Trump’s directive marks a major policy shift at the federal level, potentially affecting thousands of transgender youth who rely on government-funded healthcare.
