The House Oversight Committee is investigating allegations that the Biden administration pressured a global medical recommendations body to drop age limit guidelines for transgender care. The probe follows a New York Times report alleging that the administration pushed the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to remove its age limit recommendations for transgender youth surgeries because it "could fuel growing political opposition to such treatments."
Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines has spoken out against transgender golfer Hailey Davidson, who is on the verge of joining the LPGA. Gaines, who competed against Davidson in college, alleges that Davidson has an unfair advantage due to her biological advantages as a male.
The House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., is investigating accusations that the Biden administration pressured the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to drop age limit guidelines for transgender care. According to a New York Times report, the administration urged WPATH to remove its recommendations for minimum ages for hormone therapy, mastectomies, and genital surgeries.
Biden Administration Accused of Pressuring Transgender Medical Guidelines
The pressure campaign was allegedly led by the staff of HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine, a transgender woman. The subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services has requested documents and information from HHS to assist in its investigation.
In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, McClain condemned the administration's advocacy for expanding access to irreversible gender transition surgeries for vulnerable children. She accused the administration of prioritizing political advantage over the well-being of minors.
Biden Administration Accused of Pressuring Transgender Medical Guidelines
The topic of transgender medical care, particularly for minors, has been a contentious political issue in recent years. The Biden administration initially supported gender-affirming surgery for minors but later altered its stance, stating that such surgeries should be limited to adults.
The 2021 medical guidelines proposed by WPATH initially recommended lowering the acceptable age for transgender hormone therapy to 14, the age for mastectomies to 15, and 17 years for genital or hysterectomy procedures. However, these limits were dropped from the final version of the guidelines.
Biden Administration Accused of Pressuring Transgender Medical Guidelines
WPATH President Dr. Marci Bowers has denied allegations that the change was politically motivated, claiming that the organization does not consider politics when making decisions.
The House Oversight Committee has demanded that HHS turn over all relevant documents and communications by Sept. 10 and warned the department not to obstruct the investigation. Fox News Digital reached out to HHS and the White House for comment but did not receive a response by press time.
The investigation into the Biden administration's alleged interference in transgender medical guidelines is expected to further fuel the ongoing debate over the appropriate care for transgender youth.
