The Trump administration has implemented a finalized rule aimed at stopping the use of federal funds for transgender healthcare for minors. On Tuesday, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Medicaid dollars can no longer be used for ‘sex-rejecting procedures for children under 18.’ Additionally, CHIP agencies are barred from using funds for these procedures for individuals under 19.

Those currently receiving cross-sex hormone therapy can continue claiming benefits for six months following the rule’s effective date, set for October 12, 2026. President Trump stated on social media that We are not going to pay for our innocent children to undergo these barbaric surgeries and practices, which result in unthinkable and irreversible harm to their young bodies.

Advocacy groups have criticized this rule. Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, accused the administration of terrorizing trans youth and their families. Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Senior Vice President of the Trevor Project, described the rule as a ‘dangerous restriction on doctor-prescribed health care.’ Most transgender youth do not undergo surgeries before adulthood, and studies show less than one percent of transgender minors have received surgical gender-affirming care, with cisgender male minors reporting a higher uptake of such procedures.

This development is part of the broader political discourse surrounding healthcare policies. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) highlighted the effectiveness of vaccines, following President Trump’s executive order to modify childhood vaccination protocols. According to Cornyn, vaccination has prevented millions of deaths since 1974, underscoring the importance of continued healthcare policy discussions.

Meanwhile, Hims & Hers Health has announced plans to offer compounded peptides, emphasizing their commitment to providing clinical-led guidance and U.S.-manufactured products.

In other news, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has intervened in a surrogacy case involving an unborn child with a severe heart defect. Paxton seeks to ensure the baby receives life-saving medical treatment, despite the intended parents’ objections. This case highlights ongoing healthcare-related legal challenges.

Lastly, local headlines report West Virginia’s opposition to anti-vaccine movements and new abortion law changes in Massachusetts. These stories reflect the dynamic healthcare landscape across the country.

Thank you for reading today’s newsletter, and stay tuned for more updates.