Families Take Legal Action Against Trump’s Ban on Trans Youth Medical Care

Four families in New Hampshire are taking legal action against the Trump administration. They aim to prevent a new rule that bars federal Medicaid funds from covering gender-affirming care for minors. The families are represented by GLAD Law, the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, and the ACLU of New Hampshire. They claim the rule violates Medicaid laws and exceeds administrative powers. If unchallenged, the rule will be enacted on October 13.

In August, the administration established a rule that stops Medicaid from covering what it calls “sex-rejecting procedures” for those under 18. The same limitation applies to the Children’s Health Insurance Plan, affecting individuals under 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, a senior staff attorney for GLAD, highlighted these points. The families have filed their complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, arguing that the final rule is driven by “political directive” rather than “reasoned deliberation.” The complaint points out that medical interventions for other diagnoses retain funding, despite using similar treatments.

The lawsuit stresses that if the court does not intervene, transgender youth relying on Medicaid and CHIP will lose access to necessary treatments. The treatments in question are recognized as safe and effective by major U.S. medical associations when prescribed properly.

Current beneficiaries of cross-sex hormone therapy can continue to receive benefits for six months after the rule takes effect. The plaintiffs request the rule be declared unlawful and its implementation barred.

In other healthcare policy news, Senator Chuck Grassley urged the Trump administration to finalize rules limiting kratom sales. He stressed the dangers associated with the plant’s opioid-like properties. Additionally, four GOP senators are requesting the Justice Department to investigate Chinese criminal networks in the U.S. cannabis and hemp markets.

In significant legal action, attorneys general from anti-abortion states have directly approached the U.S. Supreme Court. They challenge laws in states that protect the mailing of abortion medication, arguing they conflict with federal law.

Meanwhile, the White House has begun distributing $500 refund checks to nearly a million Americans. The refunds address overcharges related to ObamaCare insurance.