08/12/2026
Yesterday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offered their final rule on Medicaid reimbursement for youth gender affirming care. The rule is proposed for October 13, 2026–but will be challenged in court.
We know our communities may be concerned about how this rule will affect critical care they rely on, but even if this rule goes into effect it would not change the fact that:
🟣 Gender affirming care remains legal and protected for all Minnesotans.
🟣Minnesota providers can and must continue to offer this critical care under our laws.
This is an expected, but disappointing, move that could change how the federal government reimburses states. But it does not change the law–and it doesn’t change that this is good, evidence-based, health care.
The rule itself makes this clear:
“This final rule does not prohibit providers from delivering [gender care] nor does it require providers to communicate certain advice or information to patients…the rule will continue to provide Federal matching funds for mental health treatment for gender dysphoria, and it does not prohibit States from providing coverage of [gender affirming care].”
As we said in our public comment on this rule:
“We believe that these proposed rules would needlessly limit care that is best practice health care - carefully tailored to meet the needs of families and patients by expert care providers. These proposals stand in contrast to the policy decisions of states like Minnesota where we continue to support and protect this care.”
In Minnesota, we believe in protecting health care and the freedom to make choices about our bodies, lives, and futures.
To all our community members–and especially our trans youth and families: we are here to support you and to advocate for a world where you are valued and can get the care you need.
