The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule Tuesday barring federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program funds from paying for certain gender transition procedures for people younger than 18.
The Federal Register notice says the rule will take effect Oct. 13. The action applies only to federal Medicaid and CHIP funding, HHS said.
HHS calls the covered treatments “sex-rejecting procedures.” The agency said the term includes puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries.
Children already receiving hormone therapy may receive federal Medicaid or CHIP funding for up to six months from the effective date while tapering off treatment. The rule does not affect mental health coverage.
HHS said Medicaid and CHIP will continue covering required mental health services for eligible children.
HHS said it reviewed research from the United States and other countries. The agency said it found gaps in the evidence and serious safety concerns. It concluded that the evidence did not justify federal funding.
The department said possible harms include infertility, impaired sexual function, reduced bone density, altered brain development and other lasting effects.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the procedures carry serious risks and do not meet the evidentiary standard children deserve. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said the funding cutoff would protect children and save taxpayer money.
President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that Oz announced the change “at my direction.” Trump wrote that Medicaid would no longer fund surgeries and hormones for minors and urged voters to remember the policy in the November midterm elections.
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