Washington D.C. – The White House is intensifying its pressure on House Republicans to eliminate federal funding for gender-affirming care through the upcoming appropriations process. This renewed push follows a prior unsuccessful attempt to ban Medicaid from covering these treatments via the budget reconciliation process. According to one House Republican, former President Donald Trump "is very committed to this," indicating strong support for the initiative from within the party.
This move marks a strategic shift after efforts to restrict gender-affirming care through reconciliation bills faced significant hurdles. Provisions aimed at banning Medicaid coverage were notably stripped from a previous Senate reconciliation bill by the parliamentarian, who deemed them extraneous to budget rules. This ruling effectively blocked the immediate federal restriction on such care through that legislative avenue.
Now, the focus has shifted to the annual appropriations bills, which fund government operations. At least six House appropriation bills for the 2026 fiscal year reportedly contain provisions designed to ban federal money from supporting gender-affirming care. These amendments aim to curtail access to care for transgender individuals, impacting those who rely on federal programs like Medicaid.
The potential impact of these measures is substantial, as hundreds of thousands of transgender adults are enrolled in Medicaid programs across the United States. While major medical associations widely endorse gender-affirming care as medically necessary, these legislative efforts seek to redefine federal funding parameters for such treatments. Advocacy groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, have consistently opposed these legislative attempts, emphasizing the importance of access to comprehensive healthcare.