Former President Donald Trump has signed a controversial executive order aiming to restrict access to gender-affirming care for individuals under 19.
The order seeks to limit federal funding for medical institutions offering treatments like puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgeries, which it labels as “chemical and surgical mutilation.”
The move comes amid ongoing debates surrounding transgender healthcare for minors and continues Trump’s broader efforts to limit transgender rights.
The executive order also targets federal health insurance policies, including TRICARE and Federal Employee Health Benefits, by excluding transgender-related coverage for minors.
Despite opposition from major medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, the order reflects Trump’s ongoing stance against gender-affirming care, which he argues could lead to irreversible consequences for children.
In response, medical experts have emphasized the safety and efficacy of gender-affirming care, noting that long-term fertility issues remain rare for youth undergoing puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
However, concerns about the potential for reduced fertility and the rarity of gender-affirming surgeries for minors continue to fuel the national debate.
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