The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a series of new actions aimed at restricting medical interventions related to gender dysphoria in minors, declaring that so called gender affirming treatments are unsafe and ineffective for children.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined six measures designed to curb chemical and surgical interventions for minors, including a formal declaration that sex-rejecting medical procedures lack sufficient evidence of safety and long-term benefit. Among the steps announced, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will introduce new rules barring hospitals from using federal funds to provide such treatments to individuals under 18.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will also issue warnings to manufacturers accused of illegally marketing breast binders to children, citing concerns over physical and psychological harm. HHS officials said the measures reflect a renewed focus on child protection and medical ethics, emphasizing caution in pediatric care.

The announcement follows action in Congress, where the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week passed legislation that could impose criminal penalties on healthcare providers who administer gender-related medical treatments to minors. Supporters of the bill argue it is necessary to safeguard children, while critics warn it could limit access to care and escalate legal disputes.

The policy shift marks a significant departure from previous federal approaches to transgender healthcare and is expected to face legal challenges, as states, medical associations, and advocacy groups debate the future of pediatric gender related treatments in the United States.