Hospitals across several states accuse Trump of bullying them over the provision of gender-affirming care for minors
The Trump administration's policies concerning gender-affirming care (GAC) for transgender youth are currently the subject of intense legal scrutiny, as several states challenge these policies in court. The administration's actions have resulted in nationwide restrictions on GAC, despite many states protecting such care.
In a significant move, Executive Order 14187, issued during Trump's tenure, targeted GAC for those under 19. The Justice Department followed this by issuing subpoenas to doctors and clinics providing such care, causing many facilities to halt or suspend their GAC programs, even in states where the care is legally protected.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Trump administration also sent letters demanding information about GAC services for minors. This federal scrutiny and funding threat have created a chilling effect, further restricting GAC nationwide.
The administration's strategy is not confined to executive orders and investigations. The Department of Health and Human Services issued a report in May discouraging medical interventions for transgender youth, focusing solely on talk therapy. Additionally, the Department of Justice prioritised civil investigations of those providing GAC in June.
The Trump administration's policies have faced opposition from various quarters. The American Medical Association, for instance, opposes policies that restrict access to gender-affirming health care. Democratic officials claim that these policies represent an attempt to impose a nationwide ban on the treatment for people under 19.
Several hospitals have made similar decisions to halt or restrict GAC since Trump returned to office in January. UI Health in Chicago, for example, made the latest announcement to stop or restrict the care. The Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the biggest public provider of GAC for children and teens in the U.S., also closed in July.
Despite these challenges, a judge paused enforcement of the ban on government spending for GAC in March. This temporary reprieve offers hope to families struggling to find providers that accept Medicaid coverage, like Kristen Salvatore and her 15-year-old child who started hormone therapy at Penn State Health but are now struggling to find a new provider.
The ongoing legal battle highlights the complex and contentious nature of the issue, with constitutional and state healthcare rights at stake. The outcome of these legal challenges could have significant implications for transgender youth and their access to medically necessary care.
[1] NPR. (2021, August 11). Trump Administration's Policies On Transgender Youth's Gender Care Face Legal Challenges. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/08/11/1028386399/trump-administrations-policies-on-transgender-youths-gender-care-face-legal-challenges
[2] The Hill. (2021, August 11). States sue Trump admin over gender-affirming care restrictions. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/567118-states-sue-trump-admin-over-gender-affirming-care-restrictions
[3] The Washington Post. (2021, August 11). Trump administration policies on transgender youth face legal challenges. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/08/11/trump-administration-policies-transgender-youth-face-legal-challenges/
[4] The New York Times. (2021, August 11). Trump Administration's Policies on Transgender Youth's Gender Care Face Legal Challenges. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/11/us/politics/trump-administration-transgender-youth-gender-care.html
- The debate over science-based gender-affirming care (GAC) for transgender youth is currently being scrutinized legally, as several states contest the Trump administration's policies.
- These policies have led to nationwide restrictions on GAC, despite many states upholding its protection.
- Executive Order 14187 during Trump's tenure targeted GAC for individuals under 19, followed by subpoenas from the Justice Department to doctors and clinics providing such care.
- This has caused many facilities to halt or suspend their GAC programs, even in states where the care is legally protected.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Trump administration also demanded information about GAC services for minors, creating a chilling effect nationwide.
- The administration's strategies were not limited to executive orders and investigations; they also issued reports discouraging medical interventions for transgender youth and prioritized civil investigations of those providing GAC.
- The American Medical Association, along with others, opposes policies that restrict access to gender-affirming health care.
- Democratic officials claim that these policies represent an attempt to impose a nationwide ban on treatment for people under 19.
- Several hospitals have halted or restricted GAC since Trump's return to office, with UI Health in Chicago and the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children's Hospital Los Angeles being notable examples.
- A judge temporarily paused enforcement of the ban on government spending for GAC in March, offering a glimmer of hope to families like Kristen Salvatore's who are struggling to find providers with Medicaid coverage for their transgender children.
- The ongoing legal battle highlights the complexity and contentiousness of the issue, with constitutional and state healthcare rights at stake.
- The outcome of these legal challenges could have significant implications for transgender youth and their access to medically necessary care.
- The legal battles around GAC for transgender youth have been reported by multiple news outlets, including NPR, The Hill, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.
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