CMS Proposes Rules to Limit Gender-Affirming Care for Minors in Federally Funded Programs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced two proposed rules that could restrict access to gender-affirming clinical care for individuals under 18 or 19. These rules would prohibit Medicare/Medicaid participating hospitals from providing such care to minors and bar federal funding for it. Critics express concern that these federal policies could override medical judgment and limit access to necessary healthcare for youth.