Trump Signs Order Banning Federal Funding for Minors' Gender-Affirming Care

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order prohibiting federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors under 19, claiming it aims to protect children from what he describes as 'chemical and surgical mutilation.' The order mandates that federal insurance programs, including TRICARE and Medicaid, exclude coverage for such procedures and directs agencies providing grants to revoke funding for institutions that support these treatments. The White House asserts that a significant number of children outgrow feelings of gender dysphoria without needing surgery, while critics point out that many studies indicate high satisfaction rates among those who transition. This order reflects Trump's broader agenda to roll back protections for transgender individuals, which has garnered mixed reactions from advocacy groups and healthcare professionals. In Kansas, similar legislative measures are being considered to restrict access to gender-affirming care for minors, amid contentious debates and differing testimonies on the impacts of such treatments. Proponents of the Kansas bill echo Trump's sentiments, calling gender-affirming procedures dangerous, while opponents argue for the necessity of these treatments for mental health and well-being.