Overview

• On July 28, the FTC opened a formal comment period until Sept. 26 to collect evidence on potential consumer harm and deceptive practices in minors’ gender-affirming treatments.
• The agency’s July 9 workshop brought together detransitioners, medical experts and parents to explore allegations of misleading claims and undisclosed risks.
• Simultaneously, the Department of Justice has issued nearly 20 subpoenas to clinics under investigation for healthcare fraud and false statements in transgender procedures.
• Facing federal scrutiny, Kaiser Permanente and D.C. Children’s National Hospital have suspended gender-affirming surgeries and prescriptions for minors.
• The inquiry builds on President Trump’s January executive order ending federal support and invokes Sections 5 and 12 of the FTC Act to assess possible regulatory violations.