US halts Medicaid funding for youth gender-transition treatments
Why it matters: The change could cut federal payment for puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries for minors in Medicaid.
The Trump administration moved to stop Medicaid funding for gender-transition treatment for minors, a policy shift highlighted Tuesday by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fox News reported the change would end federal funding for what the administration described as medical and surgical interventions for children with gender dysphoria. Quentin Van Meter, a pediatric endocrinologist and immediate past president of the American College of Pediatricians, backed the move and argued mental health treatment should continue. The policy adds to a broader administration push on transgender youth care and could affect access to puberty blockers, hormone treatment and surgeries for minors covered by Medicaid.