Trump administration assault on trans well being care: What RFK Jr. introduced

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Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration is escalating its assaults on transgender Individuals and gender-affirming well being care.

What occurred? Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. introduced Thursday that the federal authorities would take steps to dam entry to gender-affirming take care of transgender minors, reminiscent of puberty blockers, hormones, or surgical procedure.

Kennedy’s Well being and Human Providers Division is proposing two guidelines: One would goal federal funding to hospitals that present gender-affirming care to minors by banning them from taking part in Medicare and Medicaid. The second proposed rule would block federal {dollars} from being spent on gender-affirming take care of minors.

The administration nonetheless has to undergo the rulemaking course of earlier than both measure is finalized.

What’s the context? Assaults on trans Individuals — each their inclusion in public life and their mere existence — have turn out to be a core function of the second Trump administration. In a pair of January govt orders, President Donald Trump attacked “ gender ideology extremism ” and referred to gender-affirming care as “ chemical and surgical mutilation .”

Final month, the Supreme Courtroom additionally allowed the Trump administration to enforce a new passport policy requiring passports to be issued with the holder’s intercourse at start.

Why does this matter? These proposed coverage modifications are diametrically against skilled medical recommendation on the topic. The American Medical Affiliation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and different main medical associations all assist entry to gender-affirming care — which most frequently consists of puberty blockers and hormones, not surgical procedure — for minors.

And with that, it’s time to sign off…

This week, my colleague Dylan Scott launched me (and readers of Vox’s morning e-newsletter, Right now, Defined) to this excellent story: “ A Grand Yuletide Theory: The Muppet Christmas Carol is the Best Adaptation of A Christmas Carol .” Now, expensive readers, I’m passing it on to you, as a result of it’s a delight. (I additionally extremely advocate Dickens’s unique A Christmas Carol , in the event you’re on the lookout for seasonal actions.) Have an incredible night and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow!