WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday unveiled a series of regulatory actions designed to effectively ban gender-affirming care for minors...

The sweeping proposals outlined are some of the most significant moves this administration has taken toward restricting the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical interventions for transgender children...

More than half of U.S. states have already restricted or banned gender-affirming care, yet the new federal action has potential implications for nearly two dozen states...

The proposals are set to be confirmed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and may face significant legal pushback...

It is pertinent to note that nearly all U.S. hospitals participate in Medicare and Medicaid, impacting their willingness to provide gender-affirming care if this funding is at risk...

The approach is inconsistent with recommendations from major U.S. medical organizations like the American Medical Association...

Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen of The Trevor Project criticized these changes as a "one-size-fits-all mandate from the federal government," reflecting ongoing tensions between healthcare provision and political advocacy regarding transgender rights...