Hospitals warned they must protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation: HHS agency memo
A recent memo from a major agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sent shockwaves through hospitals and medical providers in the U.S. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo this week reminding healthcare providers of the dangers of “the dangerous chemical and surgical mutilation of children, including interventions that cause sterilization.” The agency vowed to align its policies with President Donald Trump’s executive orders, emphasizing the importance of providing care to all patients, especially children, with dignity and adherence to the highest standard of care.
The memo, obtained by Fox News Digital, highlighted the program requirements of hospitals to serve all patients, particularly children, with the utmost scientific integrity. It stated that other developed nations have taken decisive actions to prohibit or significantly limit these mutilation practices to protect children from harmful and unscientific medical interventions. CMS emphasized that it would begin taking steps to align policy with the highest-quality medical evidence in the treatment of children to prevent irreversible harm, including sterilization practices.
The notice also mentioned the proliferation of medical interventions for gender dysphoria in children in recent years, acknowledging the lack of robust evidence supporting these treatments. Dr. Kurt Miceli, the medical director at the conservative medical activist group Do No Harm, commended the memo for recognizing the need to protect children from irreversible harms caused by sex-change surgeries and hormonal therapies.
The memo comes amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to combat “radical gender ideology” and outlaw gender-transition treatments and surgeries for minors. Despite these orders, many hospitals across the country continue to conduct these procedures in defiance of Trump’s directives. Lawsuits challenging Trump’s gender-related executive orders are already underway, including measures to remove transgender troops from the military and ban biological men from competing in women’s sports.
The CMS memo cited studies from England, Finland, and U.S. medical journals outlining the harmful effects of gender-transition treatments for children. It reported that between 2016 and 2020, nearly 3,700 children aged 12 to 18 underwent surgery, with over 3,200 having breast or chest surgery and more than 400 undergoing genital surgery. Additionally, more than 120,000 children aged 6 to 17 were diagnosed with gender dysphoria during this period, with over 17,000 starting treatments like puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones.
The memo underscored the importance of evidence-based practices and the protection of children from harmful medical interventions. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for providers to stay informed and uphold the highest standard of care for all patients, especially vulnerable children.
