On December 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced proposed regulatory actions to implement President Trump’s Executive Order aimed at ending certain medical procedures for minors that attempt to change a child’s physical appearance or body to match an asserted gender identity different from their sex. These measures would prohibit hospitals from performing specified pharmaceutical or surgical interventions on children and would make compliance a condition for receiving federal funding through Medicare and Medicaid.
The announcement has generated significant attention in national media outlets, with coverage highlighting both the scope of the proposed regulations and the political context surrounding them. According to Fox News, HHS is threatening hospital and Medicaid funding over these procedures, while The Washington Post reported that HHS plans to revoke funding from hospitals offering youth gender transition care. PBS noted that the Trump administration seeks to cut off access to transgender health care for U.S. children.
Several government officials expressed support for the new policy. Sen. Rand Paul stated: “Gender bending isn’t science. Thank you @SecKennedy for protecting our children.” Sen. Tommy Tuberville added: “Thank you, @SecKennedy, for PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN. ‘Gender affirming care’ for minors is CHILD ABUSE.” Rep. Rich McCormick said: “This is common sense and mirrors my PROTECTS Act that prohibits the use of federal tax dollars on gender transition surgeries for minors. I am proud of @SecKennedy’s leadership on this issue. We must continue to protect our children from these irreversible, detrimental procedures.”
Advocacy groups also responded positively to the announcement. Chloe Cole commented: “Before today’s @HHSGov press conference on protecting children from transgenderism, I had the honor of meeting @RobertKennedyJr who has done an incredible job in fighting to keep America’s children healthy. On behalf of every child harmed by gender ideology — thank you!” The Independent Women’s Forum released a statement saying: “Independent Women stands firmly behind today’s decisive action by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out President Trump’s executive order ending the surgical and chemical mutilation of minors—procedures that have exposed children to irreversible physical and psychological harm and have never been supported by credible long-term medical evidence or research.”
Influencers echoed similar sentiments regarding child protection as a key motivation behind these changes. Riley Gaines wrote: “Decades from now, people will ask how doctors were allowed to mutilate & butcher healthy children in the name of ‘care’. HHS stepping in to block sex-rejecting procedures on kids is a major win for child protection.” Dr. Simone Gold stated: “BREAKING: HHS has barred hospitals from performing sterilizing surgeries and dangerous hormone treatments on children and cut off federal funding. Children cannot consent to permanent harm.”
The proposed regulations could affect nearly all hospitals nationwide due to their reliance on Medicare or Medicaid funds.
The American Principles Project referenced its report detailing financial interests involved in pediatric gender medicine, estimating industry revenues at $4.4 billion in 2023 with projections reaching $7.8 billion by 2030.
In addition, some statements highlighted enforcement actions beyond hospital policies; according to Mario Nawfal, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary notified manufacturers about marketing breast binders intended for cancer patients being sold instead as devices for transgender youth without approval.
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose leadership was cited throughout official statements and public commentary, defended the science underlying these decisions during press events.
The new regulatory proposals mark a shift in federal health policy regarding medical interventions related to gender identity among minors.
