WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an alert to healthcare providers, underscoring their obligation to safeguard children from potentially harmful medical interventions for gender dysphoria, which may include irreversible procedures and treatments. The announcement emphasized serious quality and safety concerns regarding interventions that can lead to sterilization and other long-term health effects, calling for hospitals and providers to adhere strictly to the highest medical standards to protect vulnerable patients.
Alarming Data and Emerging Concerns
Recent studies reveal a dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the United States. Between 2017 and 2021, over 120,000 children aged 6 to 17 received this diagnosis, with more than 17,000 of them undergoing medical interventions such as puberty blockers or cross-sex hormone therapies. These treatments, while intended to address gender dysphoria, have raised significant concerns about their long-term impact on the physical and emotional well-being of minors.
CMS highlighted research indicating that puberty blockers, often used as the first step in gender dysphoria treatment, may influence growth patterns, bone density, and fertility. These effects, in some cases, may have lasting consequences that extend into adulthood.
U.S. Policies Are Misaligned with Global Trends
The announcement also pointed out that the U.S. is becoming an outlier in its approach to managing gender dysphoria in children. Internationally, several countries have taken steps to introduce stricter controls or outright restrictions on the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone treatments for minors. For instance, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Finland have all implemented new policies reducing access to these interventions for children. These decisions reflect growing caution abroad, bolstered by clinical reviews that question the safety and efficacy of these treatments for adolescents.
Commitment to “Do No Harm”
The CMS alert called for all healthcare providers to follow the foundational principles of medicine, particularly the commitment to “do no harm.” The agency reminded hospitals and other healthcare professionals of their ethical and legal responsibilities in ensuring the safety of children, specifically in relation to medical interventions that have irreversible consequences.
The alert emphasized the importance of providers adhering to the highest standards and focusing on the long-term well-being of their young patients to ensure the safest, evidence-based care.
Potential Regulatory Updates
Looking ahead, CMS announced it may begin exploring changes to its policies and regulations to better align with emerging medical evidence and international standards. Should this occur, CMS emphasized that all procedural and substantive requirements related to policy changes will be followed. Future actions could include additional safeguards or measures to ensure that children are not subjected to experimental or harmful practices.
Coordinated Efforts Within HHS
This alert is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its affiliated agencies to address concerns about medical interventions for gender dysphoria in children. Similar communications are being distributed to grantees and other stakeholders participating in healthcare programs funded by federal resources.
CMS’s guidance is a call to action for medical professionals to exercise heightened vigilance and responsibility in providing treatment to young patients, reinforcing the principle that children’s health and safety must remain the highest priority.
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