gender-affirming care

The Trump administration finalized a rule to end federal support for gender-affirming care through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (Chip). Opponents stated that this move will make it harder for vulnerable children to access healthcare. The regulation is set to take effect on October 13, though legal challenges may delay or block the rule.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a federal rule that prohibits state Medicaid and CHIP plans from covering gender-affirming procedures, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, for minors under age 18. The policy takes effect on October 13, though state plans may receive continued federal funding for up to six months for current patients. This move faces opposition from leading medical associations who affirm the safety of gender-affirming care.

The U.S. Department of Justice dropped its appeal regarding a subpoena for medical records of young people seeking gender-affirming care from UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. A federal court ruling, confirmed by Chief U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon, quashed the request, rejecting the agency’s authority to require sensitive health data. Advocates view this outcome as a major win that protects patients and providers.

The US preteen suicide rate has risen significantly, with 194 preteens (ages 8-12) dying by suicide in 2025, the highest since 2001. Factors include pandemic fallout, social media stress, bullying, and policies restricting gender-affirming care. A case study highlights challenges in accessing mental health care for children.

The U.S. preteen suicide rate has risen significantly, with 194 preteens aged 8-12 dying by suicide in 2025—the highest since 2001. Experts link the trend to stressors like the pandemic, social media, bullying, and policies restricting gender-affirming care. A case study highlights challenges in accessing mental health care for children.

A federal judge is considering whether the Trump administration violated a court order by transferring transgender women to a segregated prison unit. The inmates argue the transfers breach a preliminary injunction requiring them to be housed in women's prisons, while the government claims the moves comply with the order's terms.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Denver Public Schools and Bethel School District for alleged violations of federal laws protecting parental rights, including claims of a teacher requiring same-sex student kissing and displaying testosterone vials during an LGBTQ Pride Month exhibit. Both districts stated they have taken disciplinary actions and removed the contested materials.

The U.S. preteen suicide rate has risen significantly, with 194 preteens dying by suicide in 2025, the highest since 2001. Factors include post-COVID stress, social media pressures, bullying, and policies restricting gender-affirming care for LGBTQ+ youth. A case study highlights challenges in accessing mental health care for children in crisis.

The U.S. preteen suicide rate has risen sharply since 2008, with 194 preteens dying by suicide in 2025, the highest number since 2001. Experts cite stressors like the pandemic, social media, bullying, and restrictive policies on gender-affirming care as contributing factors. A Chicago girl's case highlights challenges in accessing mental health care, as psychiatric facilities often refused to accept patients due to age or insurance restrictions.

The U.S. preteen suicide rate has risen significantly, with 194 deaths in 2025 marking the highest number since 2001. Factors cited include the aftermath of the pandemic, increased social media use, bullying, and policies limiting gender-affirming care for LGBTQ+ youth. NIH data shows an average annual 8.2% increase in preteen suicide rates since 2008, with Black, Hispanic, and Native American preteens experiencing the most pronounced rises.

The U.S. preteen suicide rate has risen significantly since 2008, with 194 preteens aged 8-12 dying by suicide in 2025, the highest since 2001. Experts cite stressors like the aftermath of the pandemic, social media use, bullying, and policies restricting gender-affirming care as contributing factors. A case study highlights challenges in accessing mental health care, including delays in psychiatric facility transfers.

Children’s Hospital Colorado has pleaded not guilty to a contempt charge in a lawsuit related to gender-affirming care. The hospital is accused of violating a Colorado Supreme Court order requiring it to resume prescribing gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth.

The Pentagon announced a program offering testosterone replacement therapy to troops over 30, prompting mixed reactions from lawmakers. Democrats criticized the initiative as resembling gender-affirming care opposed by the Trump administration, while Republicans supported it as necessary for military readiness and health.

Ohio state Sen. Nathan Manning is appointed to the Ninth District Court of Appeals, leaving his House race open. Democrats see this as an opportunity to challenge the Republican supermajority, while Republicans consider running another moderate candidate in the suburban district.

Abortion rights are being decided in four U.S. states through ballot measures. Idaho voters could roll back the state’s abortion ban, allowing it until fetal viability, while Virginia and Nevada consider constitutional amendments to enshrine abortion rights. Missouri voters may reinstate an abortion ban with exceptions and restrict gender-affirming care for minors.

Abortion rights are being decided by voters in Idaho, Virginia, Nevada, and Missouri through ballot measures. Idaho's proposal would allow abortion until fetal viability, while Missouri voters may reinstate a ban with exceptions. Virginia and Nevada seek to codify abortion rights in their constitutions.

The Department of Health and Human Services will not finalize a rule to end gender-affirming care for youth by withholding Medicare and Medicaid funding, according to NPR.

Transgender patients are seeking to hold Children’s Hospital Colorado in contempt, claiming the hospital is violating court orders by not resuming gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

California approved $26 million in one-time funding for transgender youth healthcare and $30 million for providers of reproductive and transition-related care in its 2026-27 budget. The funding aims to counter federal restrictions and support healthcare providers amid challenges like Medi-Cal cuts and threats from the Trump administration.

Two federal judges ruled against changes to the U.S. Department of Education’s public service student loan forgiveness program, stating the modifications exceeded the department’s authority and violated the First Amendment. The changes, based on an executive order targeting groups supporting undocumented immigrants, diversity initiatives, or gender-affirming care, were challenged by 20+ states, cities, and nonprofits. The original 2007 program aimed to incentivize public service work by forgiving loans after 10 years.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states may ban transgender girls from participating in women's sports at publicly funded schools, citing Title IX's allowance for sex-segregated athletic teams. The decision followed a case involving Lindsey Hecox, a trans student in Idaho, and comes amid broader debates over gender-affirming care restrictions in 25 states.

A plastic surgeon specializing in gender-affirming care argues that banning such treatments harms children rather than protecting them. The author describes their experience witnessing the transformative impact of surgeries on patients' lives and the vulnerability of those seeking care.

Rady Children’s Health will continue providing gender-affirming care for youth under 19 for six more months under an extended temporary restraining order. The care will remain available until a January 2027 court ruling on a permanent injunction, with families expressing both relief and confusion due to unclear hospital communication.

New York City will allocate $15 million to three new gender-affirming care initiatives for youth. This comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to limit youth access to transgender healthcare.

A new report highlights significant mental health disparities among Ohio's LGBTQ+ community, with gay, lesbian, and bisexual residents 2.6 times more likely and transgender individuals 3.5 times more likely to report frequent mental distress compared to non-LGBTQ+ Ohioans. The report cites a lack of funding, resources, and data as key barriers to addressing these disparities, exacerbated by stigma, discrimination, and legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors.

Rady Children’s Hospital agreed to continue gender-affirming care for minors under a California court order, including puberty blocker implants under medical provider approval. The temporary restraining order preventing the hospital from denying such care will remain in effect until early next year, following a state lawsuit over the hospital’s initial decision to end the care program.

A federal judge temporarily blocked Texas prosecutors from accessing transgender patient medical records at New York hospitals, citing unconstitutional government overreach and violations of privacy. The ruling, in a lawsuit filed by minors and families receiving gender-affirming care, criticized the Justice Department's criminal probe into FDA drug misbranding as an improper effort to target transgender individuals.

A judge has temporarily blocked Trump officials from accessing medical records of transgender children in New York City. The Department of Justice is seeking hospital records of patients who received gender-affirming care.

A federal judge in New York temporarily blocked Texas prosecutors from accessing medical records of transgender patients treated at New York hospitals, calling the government's efforts unconstitutional and part of an improper campaign to 'demonize and eradicate' transgender people. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by minors, parents, and adults who received gender-affirming care, with the Justice Department seeking records as part of a drug 'misbranding' probe.

Hospitals in blue states like Massachusetts have stopped providing gender-affirming care for youths, including Baystate Health where a transgender boy named Bug was set to begin treatment. This decline in care follows President Donald Trump’s threats to withdraw federal funding and investigate providers offering such services.

The Federal Trade Commission and four states sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) over alleged deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors. WPATH argues the FTC's actions violate its First Amendment rights, citing a prior court ruling blocking an investigation. The lawsuit aligns with a broader Trump administration campaign to label gender-affirming care as 'harmful,' prompting hospitals to scale back related services.

The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association and the Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania sued the U.S. Health and Human Services agency, alleging the Trump administration is politicizing Title X funding by imposing priorities conflicting with the program's original intent. The lawsuit challenges the 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity, which requires applicants to align with policies such as ending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and gender-affirming care.

The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association and a Pennsylvania-based family planning organization sued the U.S. Health and Human Services agency, alleging politicization of Title X funding and violation of the program's intent. The lawsuit challenges new funding priorities that require applicants to align with policies ending diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and gender-affirming care, which the complaint claims conflict with Title X's focus on low-income reproductive health services.

The Federal Trade Commission and four states sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), alleging deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and failure to disclose treatment side effects. WPATH responded by stating its guidelines prioritize individualized patient care. The lawsuit seeks to block future violations and impose financial penalties.

The Federal Trade Commission and four states sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPath) for allegedly making deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and profiting from them. The states involved are Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas.

The Federal Trade Commission and four state attorneys general have sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, alleging it made false claims about transgender health care services for children. The lawsuit is part of the Trump administration's broader effort to end gender-affirming care for minors.

The article highlights the impact of anti-trans policies in the U.S., including over $252 million spent on anti-trans messaging in 2024, more than 1,000 anti-LGBTQ+ bills targeting transgender people, and 27 states banning gender-affirming care for youth under 18. It details how these policies disrupt healthcare access, with hospitals pausing care and pediatric endocrinologists facing legal threats, as seen in the case of Dr. Héctor Granados in Texas.

Children’s Hospital Colorado was ordered to resume gender-affirming care for trans youth via a court order, but its doctors are refusing to provide the care due to fears of criminal charges.

Mamdani's administration is considering how to provide care for transgender children in New York City amid opposition linked to Trump. LGBTQ+ advocates are urging Mamdani to fulfill a $65 million pledge for gender-affirming care.

Mount Sinai states it would provide de-identified health records of trans youth to the Trump administration if required, following a federal subpoena. The hospital cited the New York State Shield law as requiring patient notification, while LGBTQIA+ City Council members condemned the potential disclosure as part of a 'coordinated federal campaign' against transgender youth.