The president’s order aims to reverse Biden-era policies that fund so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ for individuals under 19 years old.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to protect children under the age of 19 from gender transitions.
The order signed on Tuesday ends all federal support for the surgeries.
“Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ’transition’ of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures,” the order states.
Trump’s order cites the dangers of “chemical and surgical mutilation” including the use of puberty blockers. It states that many children regret their gender transitions and later face rising medical expenses due to “lifelong medical expenses” from such surgeries.
The president’s order aims to reverse Biden-era policies that fund so-called “gender-affirming care” for individuals under 19 years old.
The new order directs federally-run insurance programs such as TRICARE to exclude coverage for such procedures, directs the Department of Justice to pursue litigation and legislation to oppose the practice, and targets hospitals and medical schools that receive federal money for researching and providing such surgeries.
This is a developing story and will be updated.