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1 month ago | 
kff.org | Lindsey Dawson
On May 1, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices, a report issued following the Executive Order, “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” which directed the HHS Secretary to publish an evidence review related to gender dysphoria in young people within 90 days. Access to gender affirming care has becoming increasingly contested political territory in the United States.
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1 month ago | 
infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com | Lindsey Dawson |Maya Blumenfeld
Amidst ongoing job and funding cuts affecting several federal public health agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of HIV Prevention (DHP) is under consideration for shutdown.
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1 month ago | 
clinicaladvisor.com | Lindsey Dawson |Maya Blumenfeld
Amidst ongoing job and funding cuts affecting several federal public health agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of HIV Prevention (DHP) is under consideration for shutdown.
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2 months ago | 
kff.org | Lindsey Dawson |Jennifer Kates
On March 27th, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would implement “a dramatic restructuring” in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.” This included plans to reduce the Department’s workforce by 10,000 employees.
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2 months ago | 
kff.org | Lindsey Dawson |Kaye Pestaina |Matthew Rae
March 10th, CMS issued a proposed rule that seeks to change how plans sold on and off the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Marketplaces (plans for individuals and small businesses), would cover gender affirming care services, which the rule calls “coverage for sex-trait modification1.” The rule proposes, beginning plan year 2026, to prohibit insurers from covering gender affirming care as an essential health benefit (EHB), which could lead insurers to drop coverage or shift costs to individuals...
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Feb 11, 2025 | 
kff.org | Lindsey Dawson
On January 28, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled, “Protecting Children From Chemical And Surgical Mutilation.” Among other actions, the Order directs agencies and programs to work towards significantly limiting youth access to gender affirming care nationwide. It also includes misinformation about gender affirming care and young people who are transgender.
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Jul 4, 2024 | 
themedicalcareblog.com | Lindsey Dawson |Heather Saunders
Before we introduce this week’s post about important disparities in 988 utilization, by Lindsey Dawson and Heather Saunders and originally published in KFF Health News, we wanted to highlight an upcoming Symposium on Responding to Behavioral Health Emergencies being held by the Medical Care section of the American Public Health Association (among others). The need for robust, effective, and consistent responses to behavioral health emergencies has never been greater.
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May 29, 2024 | 
kff.org | Lindsey Dawson |Anna Rouw
As of May 21, 2024, KFF tracking shows that half of all U.S. states have enacted a law that prohibits or limits youth access to . The uptick in this lawmaking was slow at first but then rapidly accelerated over the course of the past 18 months. LGBTQ civil rights, including those related to health care access, continue to be the subject of divisive political debates at the state and national level, particularly as the election season heats up.
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May 23, 2024 | 
kff.org | Lindsey Dawson |Heather Saunders
988, the federally-mandated suicide and crisis line, supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), includes specific services to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth and young adults. Given that LGBTQ people face substantial experiences of , more pervasive mental health challenges, and greater unmet need for mental health services, a dedicated 988 service provides a targeted intervention for this community.
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Apr 2, 2024 | 
kff.org | Alex Montero |Liz Hamel |Samantha Artiga |Lindsey Dawson
LGBT adults in the U.S. are a growing population who have historically experienced health disparities. Past research shows that LGBT adults face increased challenges when it comes to mental health outcomes and access to care, experiences with serious mental health issues (particularly among trans adults), their physical health (including higher rates of disability among younger LGBT adults), and barriers to accessing and affording needed care.
