For young people struggling with their identity, access to counseling, puberty-pausing medications, and hormone therapy can prevent depression, self-harm, and thoughts of suicidal thoughts.
On Aug. 11, the Trump administration published a final rule prohibiting the use of federal Medicaid funds to cover those therapies, medications, and surgeries for all people under 18—and with Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds for people under 19.
Trans youth and LGBTQ+ communities have faced numerous attacks at both the state and federal level just this year. Here’s what you need to know about the new ruling—and what you can do to support LGBTQ+ rights and access to life saving healthcare.
About the ruling
The ruling puts trans youth and those seeking gender-affirming care at greater risk. For trans and nonbinary youth, access to this care can have a profound impact on their mental health and well-being. Timely gender-affirming care is associated with 60% lower odds of depression and 73% lower odds of self-harm or suicidal ideation among transgender and nonbinary youth ages 12–30.
The rule provides a 6-month “tapering” period for transgender youth patients currently receiving hormone therapy. This tapering period does not apply to puberty-delaying medications.
It’s important to note that the rule does NOT:
- Prohibit these services from being covered with state-only Medicaid funds, private insurance, or other sources of funding.
- Prohibit the use of federal funding for supportive mental health care.
- Impact medicaid funding for people aged 18 and older.
The rule will go into effect on Oct. 13, 2026, though legal challenges are likely.
If you or your family needs help finding or paying for a new gender-affirming care provider, or want more information about the current landscape, visit the Trans Youth Emergency Project.
What you can do:
- Donate to the Wisconsin Trans Youth Health Care Access Fund to support health care access for trans youth and their families.
- Join the network of groups and organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and communities, such as Fair Wisconsin, GSAFE, and The Trevor Project. Stay engaged by signing up for updates or volunteer opportunities.
- Vote for lawmakers supporting LGBTQ+ rights in the Nov. 3 election. Fair Wisconsin PAC works to elect pro-equality candidates to office, find their list of endorsed candidates here.
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