On November 19, 2025, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., released a report critical of gender-affirming care for minors. This report updates a previous study released in May that was widely criticized. The report challenges the widely accepted medical consensus that supports psychological and medical treatments for transgender children to help them live as the gender they identify with.
Gender-affirming treatment can include puberty blockers and sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen. The effects of puberty blockers are reversible, while sex hormones have more lasting effects. However, the newly published HHS report claims that such care is harmful, contrary to the overwhelming medical consensus.
The report has faced backlash from major medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, who support gender-affirming care. These organizations argue that transgender identity is real and that transgender individuals thrive when they have access to the care they need.
The authors of the report have been criticized for their lack of transparency and advocacy of unproven psychotherapy for transgender and gender-diverse kids. Despite this, the authors defend their work, stating that they were given full independence to follow the evidence wherever it led.
The release of this report follows a trend in Republican political campaigns focusing on restricting transgender children’s rights, such as participation in sports and the use of locker rooms in schools. President Donald Trump’s executive order in January entitled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” has led to the closure of hospital programs treating transgender and gender-diverse kids.
In response to the HHS report, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a joint statement rejecting claims of negligence and ideological bias in their approach to gender-affirming care. They emphasize that their practices are rooted in medical science and aim to support the well-being of vulnerable young people and their families.
As the debate over gender-affirming care continues, it is crucial to uphold the values of science and evidence-based medicine. The need for accurate and compassionate healthcare for transgender individuals remains a pressing issue, and it is essential to prioritize the well-being of all patients, regardless of their gender identity.
