Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican, has asked major healthcare associations to demonstrate that President Donald Trump’s executive order aligns with evidence against promoting child gender transition procedures. On Tuesday, Cassidy, who chairs the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, requested these associations to provide proof of compliance by August 7, 2025. This relates to Trump’s order entitled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.” Cassidy indicated his active collaboration with the Trump administration to safeguard children from interventions that could lead to permanent changes, including loss of sexual function and removal of healthy tissue.
In his correspondence to the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), he expressed deep concern about the continued endorsement of irreversible gender transition procedures for minors, stating it contradicts scientific data.
The letter mentioned, “The health standards for children’s care should reflect the best scientific evidence available and meet current regulatory requirements.” In a broader context, the National Association of Community Health Centres, the Federation of American Hospitals, and the Association of American Hospitals also received similar requests. They were asked to share the Children’s Gender Change Guidelines and details about federal funding used for educating members on child gender changes as well as protocols surrounding medical interventions.
Cassidy emphasized the significant influence these healthcare organizations hold in ensuring compliance with the executive order, cautioning that they shouldn’t rely on the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) due to what he described as “junk science.” He pointed out the confusion among providers stemming from conflicting guidelines.
Earlier this month, Cassidy urged professional medical associations to heed Trump’s directive meant to protect children from gender-altering procedures, criticizing the ongoing promotion of puberty blockers and irreversible surgeries.
The CHA, which represents around 200 children’s hospitals, has historically supported gender transition for minors, acknowledging their essential role in advocating for gender ideology.
Both the CHA and the other associations did not respond to requests for comments on this matter. Cassidy also reached out to AHIP, the Health Insurance Industry Association, seeking clarification about federal insurance plans that might cover gender transition procedures for minors, as well as their compliance with regulations from June 2025.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association noted that it operates as a federation of independent companies, each making its own decisions regarding these matters.
As chair of the Help Committee, Cassidy has been vocal about protecting children from interventions he sees as harmful, previously launching an investigation into medical organizations that promote gender-transition procedures against scientific findings. He called for groups like the Endocrine Society and WPATH to cease endorsing treatments for minors.
The Justice Department has also initiated an investigation into “transgender medical procedures for children,” issuing subpoenas to clinics involved in such practices amid allegations of medical fraud. These topics were discussed in a recent workshop by the Federal Trade Commission featuring personal testimonies highlighting the detrimental effects of child gender transition.
