The US government has announced new rules that would punish hospitals that offer gender-related care services for minors by pulling all federal financing. The proposed rules, announced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aim to effectively shut down hospitals that fail to comply.
President Trump’s administration has been focused on this issue since taking office, calling it “a stain on our Nation’s history.” The new rules reflect this focus and signal the federal government does not recognize people whose gender identity does not align with their sex at birth.
The proposed rules would prevent Medicare and Medicaid from paying for these treatments, which are endorsed by most medical groups in the US. Hospitals that accept federal funding but do not provide these treatments could face severe penalties.
Advocates say lawsuits will follow the announcement of these new rules. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have condemned the move as a “dangerous intrusion” into private medical decisions.
Several states, including blue states, have already imposed restrictions on these services. The Supreme Court has allowed states to decide whether and how to provide them to minors.
However, the federal government’s new rules would effectively override state decisions, sparking concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations. Experts predict that many hospitals will challenge the rules in court, arguing they are unconstitutional.
The proposed rules have sparked controversy worldwide, with some countries restricting these services more strictly than the US. The move has also led to calls for backup providers and rationing of medication to extend treatment as long as possible in case funding is cut off.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/health/trump-gender-affirming-care-funding.html