Pediatric expert applauds new Medicaid ban on gender-transition procedures for minors

Quentin Van Meter, a pediatric endocrinologist and immediate past president of the American College of Pediatricians, welcomed the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' new rule that blocks Medicaid reimbursement for medical and surgical gender-transition services for children. He maintained that the policy shift is a compassionate response that will steer patients toward mental-health treatment rather than irreversible interventions.

Van Meter referenced a federally funded NIH study in which three participants died by suicide and alleged that researchers suppressed the findings, as well as a Senate committee report accusing the study of hiding data on puberty blockers. He also attacked the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, alleging its guidelines are ideologically driven. The pediatrician suggested further actions such as withdrawing federal funding from medical schools that teach transition procedures, extending the statute of limitations for detransitioners to sue providers, and increasing audits for scientific transparency. He emphasized that many youths seeking transition come from vulnerable backgrounds and may be influenced by online communities promising quick fixes.