The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) has welcomed new actions by the Trump administration aimed at restricting gender-related medical procedures for minors, framing the measures as a significant shift in federal healthcare policy with implications for hospitals, insurers, and public funding across the United States.
In a statement issued in Washington, D.C., RAGA said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had taken decisive steps to end what the organisation describes as “sex-rejecting procedures” for children. According to the association, Secretary Kennedy signed a formal declaration asserting that such treatments for minors do not meet “professionally recognized standards of health care”.
CMS proposals target hospital participation and public funding
The announcement was accompanied by proposed regulatory changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Under the proposals, hospitals would be barred from performing these procedures on individuals under the age of 18 as a condition of participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programmes. In addition, Medicaid funding would no longer be available for such treatments for minors.
If implemented, the proposed rules would have wide-ranging financial and operational implications for healthcare providers, particularly large hospital systems and specialist clinics that rely on federal reimbursement. Industry stakeholders are expected to scrutinise the proposals closely during the regulatory review process.
RAGA frames measures as reversal of previous administration policies
RAGA characterised the policy shift as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reverse approaches taken under the previous Democratic administration. The association said the measures continued sustained efforts by Republican attorneys general across multiple states to challenge policies they argue expanded access to gender-related medical care for minors under the Biden administration.
Several state attorneys general attended the announcement in Washington and issued statements endorsing the administration’s actions and the proposed CMS rules.
State attorneys general voice support in Washington
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton offered strong backing for the federal measures, calling for what he described as a comprehensive government response.
“The radical transgender movement and far-left extremists wanting to ‘transition’ our children must be completely defeated. Protecting American kids from dangerous, non-reversible medical interventions and the left-wing activists in the medical industry pushing these procedures demands a full government response. That’s why I’m standing with President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and attorneys general from around the country to oppose radical gender ideology, safeguard taxpayer funds, and protect our kids.” stated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita echoed similar views, focusing on the long-term consequences of such treatments.
“We must protect our kids and put an end to these irreversible and harmful experimental procedures that often lead to lifelong regret,” Attorney General Rokita said afterward. “We are blessed to have an administration in the White House fully committed to the same kind of commonsense values that prevail among everyday Hoosiers in Indiana.” stated Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.
Support from Montana and Kansas attorneys general
Additional statements were provided by attorneys general from states that have previously taken legislative or legal action on the issue. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen highlighted his opposition to prior federal policy approaches.
“I commend the Trump Administration for taking action to protect children and keep taxpayers from bearing the cost of sex-rejecting procedures. I spent my first term as Attorney General combatting the Biden administration’s attempts to impose their radical gender ideology on Montanans. We’ve known from the beginning and science backs us up: the ‘gender-transition’ treatments pushed by the left are unsafe and not grounded in fact.” stated Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach focused on medical risks and legal experience related to the issue.
“As someone who has personally litigated this issue in court and has interviewed witnesses, I know just how dangerous these drugs can be. The complications are very serious, and oftentimes the people who take them are not made fully aware of those risks.” stated Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.
RAGA leadership signals continued collaboration
RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper described the announcement as a milestone in the organisation’s ongoing efforts and signalled continued cooperation with the Trump administration.
“We were thrilled to welcome both Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to Washington Today for this important announcement from Secretary Kennedy. Across the nation, Republican Attorneys General have worked tirelessly to protect children from this dangerous doctrine that the Biden administration had pushed upon children. Republican Attorneys Generals will continue to fight for to protect the youth of our nation and look forward to continuing to work alongside the Trump administration to protect children.” stated RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper.
Regulatory process and industry impact ahead
The CMS proposals are expected to undergo a formal regulatory review and public comment process before any final rules are adopted. The outcome is likely to prompt further legal challenges and policy debate, with significant implications for the US healthcare sector, state governments, and organisations operating within federally funded health programmes.
