Federal Medicaid dollars can no longer pay for gender-affirming care for youth. Doctors who treat trans kids say it will harm vulnerable people. President Trump celebrated moves his administration made this week to restrict healthcare for transgender youth.
That includes a new Medicaid policy, a report and a short documentary. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, quote, "please remember this when you're casting your vote in the midterm elections in November," unquote. NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin has more.
SELENA SIMMONS-DUFFIN, BYLINE: The first action on transgender youth came on Tuesday, when the Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule to block federal dollars from paying for gender-affirming care for young people who are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, made a social media video about it. MEHMET OZ: When the harms of sex-rejecting procedures are so serious, and the evidence is weak, the government cannot keep signing these checks.
SIMMONS-DUFFIN: The rule is a big deal, says Katie Keith of Georgetown Law. She calls it unprecedented. KATIE KEITH: I'm not aware of any other times that the federal government has prohibited federal funds in this way for a specific patient population with a particular diagnosis.
SIMMONS-DUFFIN: Then on Thursday, the administration released a report called Wolves in White Coats that featured the stories of young people who had detransitioned and accused doctors and hospitals of being driven by greed. Administration officials then cited that report when they referred dozens of healthcare providers to the HHS inspector general for investigation over billing codes. Vice President JD Vance and other officials made a video about that.
JD VANCE: These allegations are crazy, and they demand investigation. SIMMONS-DUFFIN: Finally, also on Thursday, HHS released a 12-minute documentary - also called "Wolves In White Coats" - narrated by assistant secretary for health, Dr. Brian Christine. (SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, "WOLVES IN WHITE COATS") BRIAN CHRISTINE: Every year, American families are misled by activists, physicians and mental health practitioners into making the biggest mistake of their child's life.
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