RFK Jr moves to restrict minors’ gender-affirming care, labels it 'neither safe nor effective'
.@SecKennedy: "This morning, I signed a declaration: Sex-rejecting procedures are neither safe nor effective treatment for children with gender dysphoria... This declaration is a clear directive to providers to follow the science and the overwhelming body of evidence that these… https://t.co/B5rIe6ajcl pic.twitter.com/OKZKdUbE1N
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 18, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC: The Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr, made an announcement on Thursday, December 18, informing the public about the administration’s plans for gender-affirming care.
RFK Jr stated that the HHS was set to take steps aimed at ending care related to gender transitioning, calling it “s*x-rejecting” procedures for minors across the nation.
HHS reveals new rules related to gender-affirming care
RFK Jr said on Thursday that the HHS was taking six “decisive actions” to protect children from alleged “chemical and surgical mutilation.” He explained further that the decisions were based on science and Donald Trump’s executive order.
The secretary of Health and Human Services added that he had signed a declaration against s*x-rejecting procedures that were neither safe nor effective for children battling “gender dysphoria.”
RFK Jr added that such procedures did not meet professionally recognized standards of care and that medical professionals who provided children with gender affirming care were not in compliance with the standard of health care.
The HHS secretary added that the signed declaration was a “clear directive” to caregivers to follow the science. He added that there was a lot of evidence backing his claims that such procedures did not help children.
RFK Jr also announced a new proposed rule that prohibited funding for "s*x-rejecting procedures."
Additionally, the FDA was set to issue warning letters to br**st binder manufacturers, alleging that the purpose of these binders was for those recovering from mastectomies and that those who sold their products under the pretense of helping children with gender dysphoria were engaging in “illegal marketing.”
He added that it required “swift actions,” and non-compliance could result in seizure of inventory.
.@DrMakaryFDA: "Today, the FDA is taking action. We are sending warning letters to 12 manufacturers and retailers for illegal marketing of breast binders for children, for the purposes of treating gender dysphoria." pic.twitter.com/wmZWRoVrde
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 18, 2025
Marty Makary echoes RFK Jr’s thoughts about binders
FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary also participated in the press conference on Thursday and echoed RFK Jr’s thoughts.
He confirmed that the FDA was sending warning letters to 12 manufacturers and retailers for “illegal marketing” of breast binders for children, claiming to treat gender dysphoria.
He added that br**st binders were a “class 1 medical device” that were supposed to help women with cancer surgeries. He explained that there were side effects of long-term usage, such as pain, compromised lung function, and difficulty breastfeeding.
Makary also said that the letters would formally notify the manufacturers of their “significant regulatory violations and require prompt corrective actions.”
