RFK Jr. Addresses New Federal Guidance on Minors’ Health Care as CMS Proposes Funding Pause

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered remarks Thursday outlining updated federal guidance on health care for minors during a news conference that followed a policy announcement by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

CMS recently unveiled a draft rule that would pause federal funding to hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to minors. According to NPR, Kennedy was expected to be joined at the event by CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Background and Reaction

Since President Trump returned to the Oval Office in January, his administration has used executive actions and federal reviews to restrict gender-affirming care for minors. Those steps have prompted lawsuits from Democratic-led states and legal challenges from health care providers and advocacy groups.

What Was Announced

The CMS draft rule proposes temporarily suspending certain federal payments to hospitals that offer gender-affirming treatments for minors while the agency reviews its position and regulatory framework. The administration framed the guidance as an effort to standardize federal oversight of care for minors; opponents argue it could limit access to medically recommended services.

News conference timing: The event was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. EST on Thursday, and a video replay was made available afterward.

For viewers seeking more information, a replay of the news conference was posted by the outlet carrying the story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest updates on the story, including any legal responses or changes to the draft rule, check major news outlets and official CMS announcements.