Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration Effort Targeting Gender Affirming Care Providers

CHICAGO – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 22 states won a federal court ruling that blocks an attempt by the Trump administration to restrict health care providers who treat youth with gender dysphoria. A federal district court issued a final written order and judgment granting summary judgment to the plaintiff states and ruling that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services exceeded its authority when it sought to declare certain gender affirming care unsafe and threatened Medicare and Medicaid participation for providers delivering legally recognized treatment. The states argued the federal action was unlawful, arbitrary, and issued without proper procedure after the agency declared certain care unsafe and ineffective and attempted to bar providers from federal programs. The ruling finalizes a prior oral decision from the court that already blocked enforcement of the policy and protects providers and hospitals from federal penalties tied to the directive.