In a major policy shift, former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order halting all federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors. The directive, issued on January 28, 2025, bars hospitals and healthcare providers receiving federal funds from offering puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgeries to individuals under 19. This move aligns with growing Republican efforts to restrict access to transgender healthcare in the United States.
The order further instructs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to draft new guidelines for treating gender dysphoria in minors within 90 days. Additionally, the Department of Defense has been ordered to remove gender-affirming care from TRICARE, the military’s healthcare program. Federal employee health insurance plans will also be required to exclude coverage for such treatments starting in 2026.
Trump’s directive extends beyond healthcare by instructing the Department of Justice to focus on enforcing laws against female genital mutilation and investigating the long-term effects of gender-affirming treatments. Supporters of the order argue that it protects children from making irreversible medical decisions and promotes a more cautious approach to transgender healthcare. Conservative lawmakers and advocacy groups have praised the decision, claiming it upholds parental rights and medical ethics.
However, the order has sparked outrage among medical professionals and human rights organizations, who argue that it contradicts established scientific research and could endanger transgender youth. Leading medical associations, including the American Medical Association, have consistently supported gender-affirming care, stating that it reduces suicide rates and improves mental health among transgender individuals. Critics are already preparing legal challenges, warning that the policy will cause significant harm to vulnerable young people.
This sweeping policy change marks one of the most aggressive federal actions against transgender rights in recent history. With legal battles looming and public opinion deeply divided, the order is expected to fuel further debate over the role of government in regulating transgender healthcare. As states continue to pass their own restrictions, the future of gender-affirming care in the U.S. remains uncertain.
