Pediatricians Unite Against Trump's Plan to Deny Transgender Youth Life-Saving Care

The Trump administration announced a proposed rule on Thursday that would strip hospitals of their Medicaid and Medicare funding if they continue to provide gender-affirming care for transgender youth under the age of 18. According to the rule, hospitals that provide such care would be deemed non-compliant with federal law, resulting in the loss of federal funding. Dr. Kade Goepferd, the founder of Children's Minnesota Gender Health Program, expressed her disappointment and frustration with the proposed rule. "For the medical community, nothing has changed about the evidence supporting gender-affirming care that could justify the government's actions," she said. Goepferd's program is one of the largest and most respected in the country, and it has been providing care to transgender youth for over a decade. The proposed rule is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to restrict access to healthcare for transgender individuals. In recent months, the administration has taken several steps to limit the rights of transgender people, including attempting to ban them from serving in the military and rolling back protections against discrimination in healthcare. The medical community has long supported the use of gender-affirming care for transgender youth, citing the overwhelming evidence that it is safe and effective. A 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that gender-affirming care was associated with improved mental health outcomes and reduced rates of depression and anxiety in transgender youth. Dr. Goepferd emphasized that the proposed rule would have a devastating impact on the lives of transgender youth, who are already at high risk for mental health problems and suicidal ideation. "We know that denying these young people the care they need will only exacerbate these problems and put their lives at risk," she said. The proposed rule is now open for public comment, and it is expected to be finalized in the coming months. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and other major medical organizations have already spoken out against the rule, citing the harm it would cause to transgender youth. As the debate over the proposed rule continues, Dr. Goepferd and her colleagues at Children's Minnesota Gender Health Program remain committed to providing care to transgender youth, regardless of the outcome. "We will continue to do what we know is best for our patients, and we will fight to protect their rights and their access to care," she said.