What to Know About Trump Admin’s HHS Junk Science Report on Trans Health Care

On May 1, the Trump administration’s Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a “report” on trans health care, deliberately designed to spread misinformation about proven, often life-saving care. Importantly, the release of this report changes nothing about access to health care.

In Minnesota, where access to trans health care is protected under state law, this care remains legal. In North Dakota, where a law barring trans health care for minors is being challenged as violating the state constitution (see T.D. v. Wrigley), families of trans kids who were not receiving this care prior to the law going into effect are still being forced to travel out of state.

It’s critical to understand the following points:

1. This report is political, not medical – Decades of substantial peer-reviewed research shows that medical care is safe, effective, and essential to the health and well-being of transgender youth. The report cherry picks information to reach its pre-ordained ideological conclusion. The real goal of this report is to deny essential healthcare for transgender youth, spread anti-trans misinformation, and promote conversion therapy by another name.
2. Gender affirming care remains accessible – This so-called “review” of gender-affirming care does not directly change existing laws or restrict access to care for transgender people. In States where access has not been restricted, minors can continue to receive gender affirming medical care despite the existence of this report.
3. Medical providers must not back down – Gender-affirming care is safe, evidence-based, and backed by every major medical association, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics as the only safe and effective treatment for gender dysphoria. We urge providers not to let political interference disrupt the essential care they provide.
4. Legal challenges are expected – Courts across the country have already put the Trump Executive Order threatening to withhold federal funding from gender affirming care providers on pause because that order is unconstitutional. The president cannot unilaterally stop the provision of evidence-based best practice healthcare. We expect to see continued success in those cases and any other challenges that are filed.
5. Minnesota remains a refuge – In Minnesota, gender-affirming care is protected under state law. We have strong legal protections for transgender people. Families should continue to seek the care they need, and providers should continue offering medically necessary treatment. We urge our state leaders to reaffirm their commitment to trans rights and ensure that providers and families are supported during this time.

Gender Justice will continue fighting for trans rights and access to care.