Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced on April 20 that a federal court has blocked an effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to limit healthcare providers offering gender-affirming care to transgender youth. The ruling comes after Rayfield led a coalition of 22 states in challenging the declaration made by HHS in December.
The issue is significant because it concerns access to medical care for transgender adolescents and the authority of federal agencies over state-regulated healthcare decisions. The case also addresses whether federal officials can use program exclusions as leverage against hospitals and providers.
Rayfield said, “When families and doctors make healthcare decisions together, no federal official should be able to use threats and intimidation to get in the way. That’s what Secretary Kennedy tried to do – force hospitals and providers to abandon their patients. Oregon will always stand up for the dignity and wellbeing of every person.”
On December 18, 2025, HHS issued a declaration labeling certain forms of gender-affirming care as “unsafe and ineffective,” seeking power to exclude providers from Medicare and Medicaid if they offered such services. In response, Rayfield’s coalition sued in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, arguing that Secretary Kennedy lacked legal authority for such action, acted arbitrarily, and failed required procedural steps including notice-and-comment rulemaking.
A summary judgment hearing last month resulted in an oral ruling blocking HHS’s actions; this week’s written opinion formalizes that decision, ensuring protection for healthcare professionals from potential exclusion or penalties related to providing gender-affirming care.
Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont Washington Wisconsin joined Rayfield in this lawsuit along with Pennsylvania’s governor.
