Families sue to stop Trump’s ban on medical care for trans youth

Families sue to stop Trump’s ban on medical care for trans youth

A group of four New Hampshire families are suing the Trump administration to block the implementation of a rule barring federal Medicaid dollars for gender-affirming healthcare for minors .

Represented by GLAD Law, the National Center for LGBTQ Rights and the ACLU of New Hampshire, the families argue the rule violates existing Medicaid statute and exceeds the administration’s authority. Without being paused, the rule will take effect on Oct. 13 .

In August, the administration finalized a rule barring Medicaid from paying for what it refers to as “sex-rejecting procedures for children under 18” as well as blocking the Children’s Health Insurance Plan from paying for the same procedures for people under the age of 19.

“These families made medical decisions with their doctors, based on careful assessment of their children’s individual medical needs. On October 13, the Trump administration wants to pull the funding for their care mid-treatment, with no plan for what happens to them. We’re asking the court to act quickly so these families don’t lose the medical care that has enabled their kids to thrive,” Chris Erchull, senior staff attorney for GLAD, said in a statement.

Their complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, argues the final rule is a result of “political directive” and not “reasoned deliberation,” noting that it preserves funding of pharmaceutical and surgical interventions for diagnoses other than gender dysphoria despite the treatments being the same.

“Unless this Court acts, transgender adolescents who depend on Medicaid and CHIP will lose access to treatments that their physicians have determined are medically indicated—treatments that every major medical association in the United States recognizes as safe and effective when appropriately prescribed,” the lawsuit argues.

Beneficiaries currently receiving cross-sex hormone therapy can continue to claim benefits for six months after the rule’s effective date.

The plaintiffs are asking that the rule be declared unlawful and be barred from being implemented.

Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter , we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.

How policy will be impacting the healthcare sector this week and beyond:

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Friday called on the Trump administration to finalize its proposed rule limiting the sale of kratom, a plant with opioid-like properties that can be bought over the counter. “All Kratom is deadly it should NOT be sold at gas stations/vape stores/ANYWHERE Admin needs 2 put out final 7OH rule NOW Kratom is killing our kids BEWARE of special interest snake oil,” Grassley said on the …

Four GOP senators who opposed the delay of a ban on intoxicating hemp products are calling on the Justice Department to investigate the role of Chinese criminal networks in America’s cannabis and intoxicating hemp markets. In a Wednesday letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, the senators said Chinese criminal networks “are exploiting vulnerabilities in federal law to operate expansive illicit drug enterprises that …

Three attorneys general in anti-abortion states filed a lawsuit directly with the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the abortion shield laws of three Democratic-led states that protect physicians who send medication for abortion through the mail. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill (R), along with her counterparts in Alabama and Arkansas, said the shield laws in New York, Massachusetts and California violate four …

White House begins mailing $500 ObamaCare ‘refund’ checks

The White House began mailing $500 refund checks Wednesday to just about 1 million Americans who the administration says were overcharged for their ObamaCare insurance. Treasury Department checks will begin going out to more than 950,000 Americans across 30 states that use healthcare.gov, the federal marketplace where people sign up for ObamaCare health insurance, according to an administration official. “For years, …

Local and state headlines on healthcare:

Thousands in Washington to lose Medicaid coverage as federal cuts take effect ( KING 5 News )

Doctors, insurers sue Newsom over health insurance premium increases ( CalMatters )

Montana starts enforcing Medicaid work requirements on Oct 1. Patients are confused ( NPR )

Health news we’ve flagged from other outlets:

Midterms have revived universal healthcare debate . These states are ahead of everyone. ( KFF Health News )

NIH awarded all its grant funding, but delayed and opaque decisions stymied researchers ( Stat )

Bill easing seniors’ wheelchair upgrade costs clears Senate ( Roll Call )

Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill:

You’re all caught up. See you next week!