The new rule ends federal funding for gender-affirming care through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, effective October 13, pending potential legal challenges.

The Trump administration finalized a rule on Tuesday to terminate federal support for gender-affirming care via Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (Chip). The policy is scheduled to take effect on October 13, though legal challenges could potentially delay or block the implementation. The administration stated the move aims to ensure federal funds support evidence-based care, while opponents argue the rule is driven by an anti-transgender agenda.

Implementation and Potential Impact

If the policy takes effect, children currently enrolled in Medicaid and Chip will be granted up to six months to taper off their medications. The rule has drawn significant opposition, with the National Women’s Law Center reporting that approximately 90% of the nearly 35,000 public comments received during the proposal phase were against the change. Opponents note that Medicaid and Chip enrollees often lack the financial means to pay for care out of pocket, potentially creating significant barriers to access.

Arguments and Legal Context

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cited international reviews, such as the Cass Review, to argue that federal dollars should not finance these interventions. Conversely, critics point to recent reports from the Netherlands that describe gender-affirming care as safe and effective. Legal challenges are expected, as courts have previously intervened in administration policies regarding gender-affirming care, including an April decision that blocked the government from referring health systems to prosecutors for providing such services.