Trump HHS could reverse Biden-Harris policies on gender treatments for minors
President-elect Donald Trump has yet to announce his pick for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but he has already outlined his plans to drastically reduce “gender-affirming” care for minors across the country. In a video posted on Truth Social in February 2023, Trump expressed his intention to issue an executive order directing federal agencies to cease any programs that support or promote sex changes at any age. He also vowed to ask Congress to permanently prohibit the use of federal taxpayer dollars for these procedures and to pass a law banning child sexual mutilation in all 50 states.
Additionally, Trump revealed his plans to bar hospitals and healthcare providers involved in gender-transition treatments for minors from participating in Medicaid and Medicare. He also promised to support legal actions allowing affected individuals to file lawsuits against doctors who perform these procedures on minors. Trump further announced that the Department of Justice would investigate Big Pharma and large hospital networks to determine if they have concealed long-term side effects of sex transitions for profit.
Trump’s focus on transgender issues intensified during his campaign, particularly with an ad highlighting men in women’s sports and Vice President Kamala Harris’ support for sex change procedures for incarcerated individuals in California. The ad, which contrasted Harris’ views with Trump’s stance, resonated with swing voters and had a significant impact.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, expanded access to surgical procedures for minors by interpreting “sex discrimination” within the Affordable Care Act to include gender identity and sexual orientation. This interpretation put medical providers at risk of losing federal funding if they did not offer sex change procedures for any age. The Supreme Court later blocked this rule in August.
In June, health officials in the Biden administration successfully urged the World Professional Association for Transgender Health to remove age restrictions in its guidelines for transgender surgical procedures for adolescents. Despite opposition, more than 25 states in the U.S. have enacted bans and restrictions on surgical procedures and hormonal prescriptions for transgender youth.
As Trump continues to announce his administration’s appointments, potential HHS candidates include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Eric Hargan, former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Seema Verma, Paul Mango, Joseph Ladapo, Roger Severino, Brian Blase, and Joe Grogan. With his administration taking shape, Trump’s plans to limit gender-affirming care for minors are poised to significantly impact healthcare policy in the United States.
For the latest updates on Trump’s appointments and policies, stay tuned to Fox News Digital. Jamie Joseph, a political writer covering the Senate, is leading our coverage on these developments.
