A House Oversight Committee panel is currently investigating allegations that the Biden administration exerted pressure on a global medical recommendations body to remove age limit guidelines for transgender care. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is looking into claims of political interference by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the recommendations of a third-party medical organization.
The investigation was prompted by a letter sent to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra by Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., chair of the subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services. The letter cited a report alleging that the administration influenced the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to eliminate age limit recommendations for transgender youth surgeries to avoid political opposition.
The pressure campaign was reportedly led by the staff of HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine, a transgender woman. Rep. McClain expressed concerns that the pressure applied by HHS officials could expand the pool of children and adolescents recommended for irreversible gender transition surgical procedures.
The controversy surrounding transgender medical care, especially for minors, has been a contentious issue in recent years. Following backlash over the report, the White House initially stated it did not support gender-affirming surgery for minors but later revised its stance to support gender-affirming care for minors while limiting surgeries to adults.
The 2021 medical guidelines initially recommended lowering the acceptable age for transgender hormone therapy and surgeries, but those age limits were removed from the final version of the recommendations. WPATH President Dr. Marci Bowers denied that the change was politically motivated, emphasizing that the organization does not consider politics in its decision-making process.
The House Oversight Committee subcommittee has requested HHS to provide all relevant documents and communications by a specified deadline and warned against obstructing the investigation. The committee criticized HHS for alleged lack of cooperation in previous oversight efforts and emphasized the importance of transparency in congressional investigations.
