New Delhi, Aug. 12 -- WASHINGTON - For thousands of transgender children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, a deadline is approaching. The Trump administration finalized a rule Monday that bars the use of federal funds to pay for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone therapy, and surgical procedures for transgender youth, with coverage ending on October 13, 2026. Children currently receiving hormone therapy have a six-month transition period before their federal coverage lapses.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cited Federal Register number 2026-16508 in announcing the prohibition, which applies to all federal Medicaid and CHIP matching funds. The rule does not prevent states from using their ow...