Protecting Kids: A Closer Look at the New Gender Transition Rules

The Trump administration has put forward new rules about gender transition treatments for minors. These rules aim to stop federal money from being used for certain medical steps, like puberty blockers and surgeries. The idea is to focus on treatments that are proven to work and to avoid turning kids into test subjects. Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and his deputy, Stephanie Carlton, wrote about this in a column. They said that the evidence for these treatments is not strong enough. They pointed to reviews from different health groups that found the benefits of these treatments are not clear. The new rules would stop Medicaid and other programs from paying for these treatments. They would also stop hospitals that take Medicaid money from doing these procedures on minors. The government thinks this could save over $250 million over ten years.Oz and Carlton warned about the risks of these treatments. Puberty blockers can affect bone health and sexual development. Hormones can cause problems like infertility and heart issues. Surgeries can lead to lifelong complications. Instead, they suggest starting with less invasive steps, like therapy and counseling. They think the health system should focus on treating mental health issues first. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called these treatments "malpractice. " The rules are not final yet and will go through a public comment period. There will likely be pushback from medical groups and advocates. The administration is betting that parents will support their stance. They point to the rise in gender dysphoria diagnoses and the decline in youth mental health. They think these trends show that caution is needed, not experimentation. The debate is about whether federal programs should pay for treatments that permanently change a child's body when there are less invasive options. The administration's position is clear: they want to fund care that is proven, prudent, and protective.