A federal report has revealed that hospitals have billed nearly $120 million for childhood gender transition procedures since 2019 under policies enacted during the Biden administration. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report, titled “Wolves in White Coats,” claims these procedures were promoted through financial incentives that created what the report describes as “captive patients” requiring lifelong medical care.
According to the report, the former Biden administration expanded federal nondiscrimination protections to cover gender identity while falsely asserting that the effects of puberty blockers and hormone therapy on minors are reversible. The document also cites accounts from detransitioners who stated that doctors failed to address underlying abuse or mental health issues and instead presented gender transition as their only option.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has referred over 200 medical entities to the HHS Inspector General for further investigation. Vice President J.D. Vance noted, “Hospitals and providers may have been defrauding Medicaid and private insurers.”
The report has prompted immediate action: a new federal rule barring Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds from covering gender transition procedures for children will take effect on October 13. Additionally, Vice President J.D. Vance has urged the Department of Justice to investigate potential insurance fraud related to these procedures.
