Title: Trump’s Proposed Rules Threaten Access to Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth Nationwide The Trump administration has taken another step towards restricting access to healthcare services for transgender youth across the United States, with new proposals by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that would prohibit federal Medicaid reimbursement for medical care provided to transgender patients younger than age 18. The proposed rules also block reimbursement through the Children’s Health Insurance Program or CHIP for patients under age 19, while an additional rule aims at blocking all Medicaid and Medicare funding for any services at hospitals that provide pediatric gender-affirming care. These new proposals come as no surprise given President Trump’s history of targeting transgender rights since taking office in January 2017. In February, he signed an executive order to stop federal funding for hospitals providing gender-affirming care to children, leading to protests outside Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and other facilities across the country. The proposed rules are set to be released for public comment in early November, according to a source within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services who requested anonymity due to fear of professional retribution. However, even without immediate implementation, these proposals have already sparked concern among advocates and healthcare providers alike. “These rules would be a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s attack on access to transgender health care,” says Katie Keith, director of the Center for Health Policy and Law at Georgetown University. “I think it’s really, really important to note that nothing is changing immediately.” The implications of these proposed rules are far-reaching and could make access to pediatric gender-affirming care across the country extremely difficult, if not impossible. Currently, such care is already banned in 27 states. If implemented, these restrictions would further marginalize an already vulnerable population, denying them essential medical services that can significantly improve their quality of life and mental health outcomes. As a society, we must stand against these discriminatory measures and continue to advocate for the rights of transgender individuals. Access to healthcare should never be determined by one’s gender identity or sexual orientation; it is a fundamental human right that everyone deserves equal access to. We cannot allow political agendas to dictate our values as a nation, especially when lives are at stake.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/10/30/nx-s1-5588655/transgender-trump-medicare-medicaid-gender-affirming-care)
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