Conservative Groups Push for Closure of Loophole in Funding for Minors’ Sex Denial Procedures
A coalition of conservative organizations is urging the Trump administration to address a loophole that permits blue states to finance sex denial procedures for minors.
The group Defend Forgotten America expressed support for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) banning hospitals that perform gender transition surgeries on children from receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds. However, they cautioned that this measure alone won’t eliminate “Biden’s radical HHS policies that funnel taxpayer dollars to these procedures.”
In a letter dated January 7 to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Defend Forgotten America’s founder Jen Pellegrino pointed out that Washington state continues to provide Medicaid coverage for what it calls “gender-affirming care,” which includes surgeries and hormone treatments, all while receiving federal reimbursement. She stated, “Now that the federal government correctly believes that gender refusal procedures do not meet accepted professional standards for child care, it’s crucial to ensure that no state can exploit the loopholes allowed by the Biden administration.”
Washington’s policy has been officially sanctioned and is set for implementation according to CMS regulations.
The organization recommended that the Trump administration revoke Washington state’s authorization for Medicaid funding related to gender reassignment, undertake a thorough review of every state’s Medicaid plan, and disclose how much federal money is allocated for treatments in states like Washington.
According to the letter, “These actions are necessary to ensure consistent application of federal law, protect vulnerable children, and uphold HHS’s responsibility to taxpayers.” They believe that closing the loophole in Washington and conducting a nationwide review will affirm HHS’s commitment to the welfare of children and taxpayers alike.
As of now, HHS has not responded to inquiries for comments.
President Kennedy recently announced proposed regulations aimed at limiting Medicaid funding for sex denial procedures for minors. In a proclamation made in December, he emphasized that “sex-denial procedures are neither safe nor effective treatments for children,” asserting, “This is not a drug; that’s cheating.”
