The Trump administration finalized a rule ending Medicaid and Chip coverage of gender-affirming care for children, set to take effect October 13 unless courts intervene. The proposal drew nearly 35,000 public comments, about 90% opposed, according to the National Women's Law Center. HHS cited the UK's Cass Review, which has faced wide criticism for skewing evidence, while omitting a more recent Netherlands report finding such care safe and effective.
A related HHS effort in April was already blocked by a federal judge, who criticized Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'wanton disregard' for the law after HHS referred providers to prosecutors, prompting many health systems to halt care. Federal employees filed a class-action lawsuit in August over lost insurance coverage. If the rule takes effect, children on Medicaid and Chip would have up to six months to taper off medications, and advocates say the policy will fall hardest on low-income, disabled, and minority youth who have fewer alternatives.
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