Last week, the Trump Administration announced new federal restrictions that could limit access to gender-affirming care for youth. In response, several New Jersey state agencies issued a joint statement criticizing these actions and highlighting potential impacts on young people.
The statement from the New Jersey Departments of Health, Human Services, Children and Families, and the Office of the Attorney General said: “By chilling the provision of care, the restrictions proposed by the federal administration will have dire consequences for young people across the country and cause unnecessary suffering and trauma.”
State officials referenced support from leading medical organizations regarding gender-affirming care. According to their statement: “Leading medical and public health organizations recognize the spectrum of gender-affirming care as medically necessary to improve outcomes and reduce distress, especially for our transgender community. Limiting access to gender-affirming care does not protect patients. It increases stigma, creates barriers to well-being, and takes away the autonomy of patients and families—along with their health care providers—to make deeply personal health decisions based on evidence, professional judgement, and compassion.”
No further details were provided about how New Jersey might respond to or address these federal policy changes.
