URGENT UPDATE: A coalition of 19 states and the District of Columbia has just filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over a controversial declaration that threatens access to gender-affirming care for youth. The lawsuit was submitted earlier today in the U.S. District Court in Eugene, Oregon and challenges the HHS’s recent declaration labeling essential treatments for young people experiencing gender dysphoria as unsafe and ineffective.
The HHS declaration, issued on October 12, 2025, warns health care providers that they may be excluded from federal programs like Medicaid and Medicare if they continue to offer treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. This move has raised alarms among advocates who argue that such care is medically necessary for many adolescents.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading the lawsuit, states,
“Secretary Kennedy cannot unilaterally change medical standards by posting a document online, and no one should lose access to medically necessary health care because their federal government tried to interfere in decisions that belong in doctors’ offices.”
The lawsuit argues that the HHS declaration is not only inaccurate but also unlawful, asserting that federal law mandates public notice and an opportunity for comment before significant health policy changes are enacted—neither of which occurred in this case.
The implications of this lawsuit are profound. Advocates for transgender rights stress that the declaration is part of a broader attempt by the federal government to limit access to vital health services for young people. The timing is critical; the HHS’s declaration coincides with new proposed rules aimed at curbing gender-affirming care for minors, though these rules have yet to be finalized.
Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, have condemned the HHS’s actions, arguing that they contradict established medical standards. A peer-reviewed report that underpinned the HHS’s conclusions has also faced sharp criticism from health professionals who treat transgender youth, asserting that the report’s claims are misleading.
The lawsuit highlights a growing divide between the federal administration and numerous states that have moved to protect access to gender-affirming care. Currently, Medicaid programs in nearly half of U.S. states cover such care, but 27 states have enacted laws restricting or banning these vital services.
As the legal battle unfolds, health care providers may feel pressured to reduce services for young patients, with some already retracting gender-affirming care in states where it remains legal. The Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care adds to the uncertainty, suggesting that many other similar state laws are likely to persist.
This situation is rapidly evolving, and the outcome of this lawsuit could set crucial precedents regarding youth health care access nationwide. Stakeholders and advocates are closely monitoring the developments, and further legal actions may follow as the implications of the HHS’s declaration continue to resonate across the country.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as we track its impact on the health care landscape for transgender youth across America.
