The Trump administration has delivered a decisive blow to the radical transgender agenda targeting children, unveiling sweeping federal proposals that would cut off Medicare and Medicaid funding to hospitals performing gender procedures on minors.
Story Highlights
- HHS proposes cutting federal funding from hospitals providing gender procedures to children
- Health Secretary RFK Jr. calls transgender treatments on minors “malpractice” that “rob children of their futures”
- New rules would impact nearly two dozen states currently allowing these procedures
- FDA issues warning letters to companies marketing chest-binding equipment to minors
- Actions build on Trump’s Day One executive orders protecting children and women’s sports
Administration Takes Bold Action Against Child Gender Procedures
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday that the Department of Health and Human Services would propose cutting federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals providing gender-affirming procedures to children. Kennedy condemned these treatments as “malpractice,” declaring that “sex-rejecting procedures rob children of their futures.” The proposals represent the most significant federal action to date against the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical interventions on transgender-identifying minors.
Trump administration unveils proposals to cut off transgender care for minors https://t.co/dYcUQa635D
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) December 18, 2025
Federal Funding Restrictions Target Hospital Systems Nationwide
The proposed rules would effectively force hospitals to choose between continuing controversial gender procedures on children and maintaining access to federal healthcare funding. Nearly all U.S. hospitals participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs, making loss of these payments financially devastating for most medical providers. The restrictions would also apply to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for patients under 19, according to federal notices posted Thursday morning.
FDA Cracks Down on Gender Equipment Manufacturers
In coordinated enforcement action, the Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to twelve companies marketing chest-binding equipment and other gender dysphoria-related products to minors. Companies targeted include GenderBender LLC and TomboyX, with the FDA stating that chest binders can only be legally marketed for approved medical uses like post-mastectomy recovery. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, characterized transgender treatments as “a Band-Aid on a much deeper pathology.”
Supreme Court Victory Strengthens State-Level Protections
The federal action builds momentum from the Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender procedures for minors. At least 27 states have already adopted laws restricting or banning such care, with Tennessee’s SB1 law specifically prohibiting puberty blockers and hormone therapy for adolescents under 18. The Court’s ruling effectively validates state efforts to protect children from experimental gender treatments that lack long-term safety data.
Public Support Backs Administration’s Child Protection Efforts
Polling demonstrates broad American support for the administration’s approach, with an Associated Press-NORC survey showing approximately half of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of transgender issues. Conservative activist Chloe Cole, who has spoken publicly about reversing her own gender transition, praised Thursday’s announcements at the news conference. Cole stated that cries for help from detransitioners like herself “have finally been heard” by the Trump administration.
