Trump signs executive order restricting gender-based health care for youth.
Reuters US President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders and pardons Reuters
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at restricting gender-based care for people under 19.
In the order, Trump said federal support for such care would end. He directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to "take all appropriate steps to end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children."
The order said it covered treatments including puberty blockers, hormones such as estrogen or testosterone, and even surgical procedures.
It is likely to face legal challenges. The order directs federally administered insurance programs to exclude gender transition treatments for minors from coverage. It also aims to prevent medical facilities that receive federal funding from providing such treatments.
More than 26 U.S. states have already implemented gender-based restrictions on care for children and youth.
Several U.S. medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, have argued that such care is necessary.
But the scientific evidence for medical interventions in gender transition care, particularly for children, is contested. Several European countries have commissioned studies. Last year, a review of gender identity services for under-18s in England and Wales found that children were being left behind by a lack of research and "extremely weak" evidence on medical interventions for gender care.
Transgender rights advocates were quick to criticize the White House's decision.
"Today's order sets out a clear plan to block access to health care for transgender youth across the country, removing the role of families and placing politics between patients and their doctors," said Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Project on LGBT and HIV.
But conservative groups applauded the order. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal advocacy group, called it a "refreshing return to reason." According to a study by the UCLA Williams Institute, less than 1% of the population over the age of 13 in the United States is transgender, and the number of people seeking medical care is even lower.
Earlier this week, Trump signed an executive order directing defense officials to review the military's policy on transgender troops. That decision has already been challenged in court.
The executive orders fulfill a campaign promise Trump made to his supporters to repeal transgender policies put in place by the Biden administration.
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