The House of Representatives has passed a significant spending bill that includes provisions banning federal Medicaid and Affordable Care Act funding for gender transition procedures. This measure, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, restricts taxpayer funds for these procedures across all 50 states. Democrats and left-wing advocacy groups have strongly criticized the bill, arguing that it threatens ‘medically necessary care’ for transgender individuals. However, the Republican-aligned American Principles Project (APP) has accused Democrats of using misleading language to misrepresent the bill’s intent, calling their claims ‘lies’ and ‘obfuscating.’
APP president Terry Schilling stated that the bill is not about curtailing essential healthcare but about preventing federal funding for what he terms ‘cosmetic’ procedures. Schilling expressed frustration with the Democratic narrative, claiming it is a deliberate attempt to confuse the public and mislead them about the true intent of the legislation. Conversely, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) emphasized that gender-affirming care is crucial for the health of transgender individuals, highlighting studies that show its positive impact on mental health outcomes. HRC criticized the Republican stance, asserting that the bill could potentially hinder access to critical medical services for transgender people.
Meanwhile, the Congressional Equality Caucus has voiced concerns that the bill is inappropriate, asserting that Congress should focus on making healthcare more affordable rather than banning coverage of medically necessary care. Schilling, however, pointed to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) standards to support his claim that gender transition procedures are not universally medically necessary. He argued that WPATH’s guidelines suggest a variety of treatment approaches, which contradicts the idea of a one-size-fits-all solution. This has sparked a broader debate about the appropriate role of federal funding in transgender healthcare and the implications for medical decision-making and public policy.