The Trump administration is backing off on its attempt to end access to gender-affirming care for minors, according to an official document obtained by NPR.
The document shows that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is unlikely to finalize a proposed rule that would have blocked Medicaid and Medicare funding for hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to anyone under the age of 18.
“I am not surprised to see another proposed action walked back,” said Tristan Vaught, an LGBTQ+ advocate in Cincinnati. “Unfortunately, the damage is often done long before a policy ever takes effect because organizations begin changing course out of fear rather than necessity.”
Cincinnati Children’s, which operates its Transgender Health Center, declined to respond to questions from The Enquirer but said in a previous statement, “Cincinnati Children’s provides evidence-based, individualized care to all patients while adhering to the law.”
Ohio’s 2024 law banning gender-affirming care for youth still stands, despite ongoing challenges from the ACLU of Ohio. Patients who started treatment before April 24, 2024 are able to continue hormone and puberty blocker treatment, but the law places a full ban on gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth in Ohio, according to the ACLU of Ohio.
But for now, the threat of losing federal funding for providing gender-affirming care appears to be neutralized.
“For transgender young people and their families, I hope this news provides at least a moment to exhale,” Vaught said. “While this does not end the broader attacks on transgender health care, it is a reminder that not every proposed action becomes reality, and that advocacy, legal challenges, and local community support continue to matter.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trump administration backs off plan to ban kids’ gender affirming care
Reporting by Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
