President Donald Trump has just signed an executive order that’s sending shockwaves across the country.
In a move that’s being met with widespread criticism, Trump has ordered an end to federal support for medical procedures aimed at altering sex or gender in minors.
But what does this mean, and how will it affect the lives of thousands of young people?
Understanding Gender-Affirming Care
Let’s break it down. Gender-affirming care is a medically necessary and evidence-based practice that helps people transition from their assigned gender to their affirmed gender.
This can include counseling, hormone therapy, and surgery. But here’s the thing: international guidelines don’t recommend medical or surgical intervention before transgender children reach puberty.
Even for older teens and adults, surgery is relatively rare.
The Order: What’s Changing?
The executive order directs the secretary of health and human services to take all necessary steps to end the use of gender-affirming care for minors.
This includes actions that could involve Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.
The order also instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw its guidance on gender-affirming care and patient privacy.
The Impact: What Does This Mean for Young People?
For children, gender-affirming care is defined as developmentally appropriate, nonjudgmental treatment provided in a safe clinical space.
But with this order, thousands of young people may be denied access to this lifesaving care.
Major mainstream medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have affirmed the practice of gender-affirming care, saying it’s clinically appropriate and can provide lifesaving treatment for children and adults.
The Backlash: What Are Experts Saying?
The order has been met with widespread criticism from medical professionals and LGBTQ+ advocates. They say that the order is based on false claims and lacks scientific credibility.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidance, which the order claims lacks credibility, is actually considered the gold standard around the world.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
Twenty-six states have already passed bans on gender-affirming health care for transgender children and teenagers.
This order could have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just young people but also their families and healthcare providers.
The Department of Justice has been ordered to investigate states that protect access to these procedures, and the secretary of defense has been directed to exclude coverage of medical interventions for minors from TRICARE, the military’s health program.