President Donald Trump announced a plan to prohibit hospitals that receive federal funding from providing gender-related medical treatments to individuals under 18. The proposal targets procedures and interventions associated with gender transition for minors.
Under the initiative, facilities participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs would be barred from offering hormone therapies, puberty blockers, or gender-affirming surgeries to patients who have not reached adulthood. Administration officials say the policy seeks to establish clear limits on pediatric medical care in this area.
The plan has sparked debate among healthcare providers, patient advocates, and lawmakers, with supporters arguing it protects children from irreversible treatments and critics warning it could restrict access to care for transgender youth.
The White House stated that any hospital continuing to provide gender-related interventions to minors while receiving federal dollars could lose funding. Federal agencies are expected to issue detailed guidance outlining compliance requirements and enforcement mechanisms.
The announcement adds to ongoing national discussions about how healthcare systems address gender identity and pediatric care, particularly in the context of federal involvement and regulatory authority. Implementation timelines and legal challenges to the policy remain uncertain as the proposal moves forward.