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  • Washington Highlights

    President Trump Issues EO Intended to Restrict Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

    Andrew Herrin, Senior Legislative Analyst
    For Media Inquiries

    President Donald Trump on Jan. 28 issued the Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation executive order, intended to prohibit gender-affirming care for people under the age of 19.  

    Noting the impact to medical schools and academic health systems, the order directs the heads of federal agencies that provide research or education grants to medical institutions, “including medical schools and hospitals,” to take steps to ensure that “institutions receiving Federal research or education grants end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”  

    The order, among other provisions, directs federal agencies to rescind or amend polices that rely on current standards of care for providing gender-affirming care; directs the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish reviews on best practices on improving the health of minors; directs the HHS to end gender-affirming care through regulatory and sub regulatory actions across a number of laws, programs, issues, or documents; directs TRICARE to amend its provider handbook to exclude gender-affirming care; and directs the Department of Justice to take related actions enforcing restrictions on gender-affirming care. Within 60 days of issuance, the order directs agency leadership with responsibilities under the order to submit a report providing an update on implementation and a timeline for future actions.  

    Over the past year, the AAMC has joined numerous amicus briefs supporting gender-affirming care [refer to Washington Highlights,  Oct. 11, 2024, Sept. 13, 2024, April 12, 2024, March 15, 2024, Jan. 26, 2024, Jan. 12, 2024].