Washington, D.C., USA
On May 6, 2025, a group of Republican senators introduced a new bill aimed at banning federal funding for gender-affirming medical treatments for minors. The bill, titled the “Protection of Minors’ Health Act,” seeks to prevent the use of taxpayer dollars to support puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under the age of 18. The GOP lawmakers argue that minors are too young to make irreversible medical decisions about their gender identity, and that such procedures may cause long-term harm.
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), the lead sponsor of the bill, was joined by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Lee emphasized that gender-affirming treatments for minors are being increasingly normalized without sufficient evidence of their long-term effectiveness or safety.
“This bill ensures that no American taxpayer is forced to fund experimental treatments for children who are too young to make decisions about their gender identity,” Lee said during the press conference introducing the bill. “It is time to stop pushing these procedures on vulnerable children and ensure that parents have the final say in what is best for their children’s health.”
The legislation comes as part of a broader GOP push to restrict the availability of gender-affirming care for minors, with similar laws already in place in several states, including Texas and Florida. Supporters argue that these medical interventions can have irreversible effects on young people and that the risks outweigh the benefits.
Opponents of the bill, including LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and medical professionals, argue that restricting access to gender-affirming care can exacerbate mental health issues for transgender minors and increase rates of suicide and self-harm. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have both publicly stated that gender-affirming care is critical for the well-being of transgender minors and that it has been shown to improve their mental health and quality of life.
“This bill is an attack on the rights of transgender youth and their families,” said an AMA spokesperson. “Denying these children medically necessary care is dangerous and will only harm their mental health.”
The proposal has gained support from conservative groups such as the Family Research Council, which advocates for greater parental control over children’s medical decisions and has been vocal in opposing what they see as the medicalization of childhood gender transitions.
As the bill moves through Congress, it is expected to become a key issue in the upcoming election cycle, with both parties divided over the role of government in regulating gender-affirming care for minors. The debate over children’s rights, parental control, and medical autonomy will likely continue to be a point of contention as the 2025 legislative year progresses.
