U.S. to ban gender changes for children under state care

By Alimat Aliyeva

The U.S. Medicaid program will no longer cover gender-reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments for minors, according to an announcement by President Donald Trump on Truth Social, AzerNEWS reports.

“Today, on my orders, Dr. Mehmet Oz announced that Medicaid will no longer fund gender-reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments for minors,” Trump wrote. He also argued that the government should not use public funds to pay for procedures he described as harmful and irreversible.

According to CNBC, under the new rules, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will not be allowed to cover certain forms of gender-affirming care for minors. The restrictions include puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgical procedures related to gender transition.

The new rules are scheduled to take effect on October 13.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that provides coverage to low-income Americans, people with disabilities, children, and other eligible groups. CHIP, meanwhile, provides health insurance to children from families whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid but who may still struggle to afford private coverage.

The decision is part of the Trump administration’s broader policy aimed at restricting gender-affirming medical care for minors. In March, Trump also promoted the Save America Act, which included measures targeting medical procedures related to transgender healthcare.

The policy is likely to remain highly controversial. Supporters argue that minors should be protected from medical interventions they consider potentially irreversible, while opponents say the restrictions could prevent some young people from accessing medically necessary care. The debate is also expected to continue in courts, where questions about federal authority and access to healthcare could play a major role.

The move marks another significant step in the growing U.S. political and legal battle over transgender healthcare, which has become one of the most divisive social issues in American politics.