A federal judge has ruled that the US government overstepped its authority by issuing a statement that labeled treatments such as puberty blockers and surgery as dangerous and ineffective for young people with gender dysphoria. The statement was issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on December 18 and threatens to exclude doctors, hospitals and clinics from the Medicare and Medicaid programs if they provide such care. Several states, including Maryland, have filed a lawsuit that says the statement violates federal law by changing medical standards without a proper notice and comment process. The judge said the government had overstepped its authority by taking this action. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. he described such care as "malpractice" that causes permanent physical and psychological damage to young people. FDA Commissioner Martin Makary added that promoting transgender ideology on children is predatory and wrong. The lawsuit emphasizes that healthcare decisions should be made by doctors and patients, not politicians in Washington. The dispute is part of broader legal battles over access to gender-affirming care.[2]