politics
Trump administration bars use of Medicaid funds for some youth transgender care
President Trump's administration said that Medicaid will stop paying for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender minors and the state Children's Health Insurance Program won't pay for the treatments for those under 19.
TL;DR
- Medicaid and CHIP will stop paying for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender minors.
- The policy takes effect on October 13th.
- Coverage for existing patients receiving hormone treatments will phase out by April 2027.
- Mental health treatment for transgender minors will still be covered.
- At least 27 states already have bans on gender-affirming care for those under 18.
- President Trump stated he directed the CMS administrator to make the change, citing harm to children.
- LGBTQ+ advocates condemn the policy as discriminatory and harmful, vowing legal challenges.
- Major medical organizations generally support access to gender-affirming care, though some surgical procedures for minors have faced scrutiny.
- This is part of a series of administration policies targeting transgender people, including actions on passports and sports competitions.
- Many of these changes have faced legal challenges, with mixed outcomes in courts.