The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has told doctors to stop following existing medical guidelines for treating transgender youth. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sent a letter asking healthcare providers to use a recent government report instead.
The report, released May 1, says it is not a medical guideline. But the letter warns doctors not to rely on professional groups’ recommendations, which support gender-affirming care for kids and teens with gender dysphoria — a condition where someone feels distress because their gender identity doesn’t match their birth sex.
HHS also said it will protect whistleblowers and watch hospitals performing “experimental” treatments on children. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced investigations into hospitals that perform surgeries related to sex traits in minors, calling these procedures risky and unproven.
Research shows that gender-affirming surgeries on children are very rare, and major medical organizations say surgery is not recommended for minors. Instead, care usually includes counseling, support, and sometimes hormone treatments for teens after puberty.
Many doctors’ groups disagree with the HHS report. They say gender-affirming care is safe and helps improve mental health for transgender people. These groups also criticized the government report for using limited data and not reflecting real medical practice.
Right now, more than half of U.S. states have laws restricting gender-affirming care for youth. This new federal direction adds more uncertainty for families and doctors trying to provide care.
For now, doctors and families should focus on what’s best for each child, using trusted medical advice and supporting the child’s well-being.
