In a sweeping move that threatens the health and safety of thousands of young people, the Trump administration has proposed new federal rules to ban all gender-affirming medical care for minors — nationwide.

If finalized, these rules would strip all Medicare and Medicaid funding from any hospital that offers gender-related care to youth, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or even basic support services. The government is not just targeting specific treatments — it’s threatening to financially destroy hospitals that refuse to comply.

This is not about medicine. It’s about control.

Gender-affirming care is supported by major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and Endocrine Society. It’s based on years of clinical practice and data — and often represents life-saving care for trans youth facing anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

By tying federal funding to an ideological ban, the administration is trying to force hospitals in every state to comply, even in places where trans youth are currently protected. Hospitals that serve poor, rural, and marginalized communities — which rely heavily on Medicaid and Medicare — are especially at risk.

If this rule goes into effect, the results will be devastating:

Pediatric gender clinics already shutting down under pressure
Families forced to ration medication or go out of state
Trans youth cut off from care — and hope.

We, the undersigned, call on the Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw the proposed rule banning gender-affirming care for minors, and on Congress to block any attempt to use federal funding as a weapon against trans youth or the hospitals that care for them.

This is not how a democracy treats its most vulnerable. Let doctors do their jobs. Let families make decisions. Let trans youth live.

Sign now to stop the nationwide ban before it’s too late.