Overview
- A late-night amendment to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act bans Medicaid funding for gender-affirming procedures for minors and adults, passing the House 215-214 on May 22.
- Approximately one in four transgender Americans relies on Medicaid for hormone therapies and surgical treatments, placing hundreds of thousands at risk if coverage is cut.
- More than 27 states have restricted or banned gender-affirming care for minors, even as a Utah-commissioned study reported mental health and psychosocial improvements among treated trans youth.
- Senate Democrats intend to invoke the Byrd Rule in budget reconciliation to remove the trans care ban, prompting a procedural fight on the chamber floor.
- Major medical associations and Rep. Sarah McBride emphasize that gender-affirming care is medically necessary, pointing to HHS findings of no independent link between gender dysphoria and suicidality.