Trump administration crackdown on gender-affirming care for kids targets hospitals

Proposed rules threaten financial consequences for clinics providing such care to transgender minors.

December 18, 2025 Check out STAT+

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Lucy Lu for STAT As dangerous eugenic ideas spread, NIH falls silent Cuts to the Human Genome Research Institute's communication offices left a bioethics vacuum. Part 9 of 'American Science, Shattered' By Megan Molteni and Anil Oza In major effort to end gender-affirming care, Trump administration takes aim at hospitals CMS proposed two new rules to withhold federal funds in connection with gender-affirming care for trans minors like puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery. By Theresa Gaffney, Daniel Payne, and Chelsea Cirruzzo Trump's marijuana reclassification could boost research, broaden access President Trump chooses sides in a debate between hard-liners on marijuana and those arguing for more research and wider access for its medical uses. By Lev Facher Adobe STAT+ | Employers drop coverage for weight loss drugs as pharma's direct-to-consumer programs grow Cash-pay prices for Wegovy and Zepbound, touted as discounts, will remain unaffordable for many workers who can't use insurance coverage to get access. By Elaine Chen STAT+ | NIH funding rates for early-career researchers plunged in 2025, new data show The odds for early-stage researchers receiving a major NIH grant fell from 29.8% in 2023 to 18.5% in the 2025 fiscal year, agency data show By Anil Oza and Jonathan Wosen STAT+ | Hospitals owned by real estate investors more likely to close or go bankrupt New research probes what happens when health care systems sell their land to financial firms. By Tara Bannow Adobe Opinion: New York Giants team doctor: Clinics offering 'miracle injections,' 'next generation cell therapies' are selling false hope Football players, like many desperate to stay healthy or young, are falling prey to regenerative medicine scams, writes the Giants team doctor. By Scott Rodeo STAT+ | Biotech, growing up, is turning profitable In this edition of "Adam's Biotech Scorecard," Adam also talks with Jared Holz, Mizuho's health care market strategist, about the year ahead. By Adam Feuerstein

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