Health Secretary Challenges Gender Transition Treatments for Minors | Wilmington News

Assistant Health Secretary Brian Christine is sounding the alarm against medical interventions like puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for minors with gender dysphoria, arguing they can cause irreversible harm and that mental health counseling is the safer, more compassionate path. He contends the rise in diagnoses may be socially driven, not purely medical, and that most children outgrow dysphoria with support. A new federal rule, effective October 13th, will block Medicaid and CHIP from funding these procedures — not banning them outright, but removing taxpayer dollars — while allowing a six-month taper for those on hormone therapy. The administration frames this as protecting kids and promoting evidence-based care, rejecting “gender-affirming” language as misleading and urging a focus on helping young people thrive without risky, long-term medical changes. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/f5615d62286d6f7f