United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring federal funding for gender-affirming care for individuals under 19. The order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to halt coverage of treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. It also mandates a review of best practices for addressing gender dysphoria and instructs agencies to stop relying on guidance from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which Trump’s administration accused of promoting "junk science."

The move has sparked strong reactions, with LGBTQ rights groups condemning it as harmful and politically motivated. GLADD criticized the order as “appallingly inaccurate and extreme,” arguing that transgender healthcare is supported by major medical associations. The Human Rights Campaign labeled it a “brazen attempt” to interfere in medical decisions, while critics accused Trump of using the issue to rally his conservative base ahead of the 2025 political landscape.

While gender-affirming care remains a contentious issue in the U.S., major medical organizations like the American Medical Association continue to support it. However, some European countries, including the UK, Sweden, and France, have recently scaled back access to treatments such as puberty blockers, citing concerns over long-term effects. The debate over transgender healthcare is expected to remain a flashpoint in U.S. politics.