CMS ends Medicaid, CHIP funding for gender-affirming care for minors

The Trump administration has announced that it will end Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-affirming care for minors. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) based this decision on research identifying gaps in evidence and documented safety concerns surrounding the interventions, which include puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical procedures.

While some medical associations, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, have updated their positions on these services, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychological Association disagree with the decision that these services offer limited benefits and substantial risks.

The funding will remain available for children currently undergoing hormone therapy for up to six months before tapering off. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz emphasized that cutting off federal funds for these procedures prioritizes children's health and protects them from irreversible harm. The rule takes effect on October 13, though it does not cover mental health services.

The administration had previously announced a ban on hospitals providing gender-affirming care to minors, which has faced legal challenges. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that these surgeries fail to meet the evidentiary standard expected for children and aim to save taxpayer dollars while safeguarding their well-being.