WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today introduced the Protecting Minors in Federal Health Plans Act. The bill would prohibit Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plans from covering gender transitions for minors.
“Taxpayer-funded federal health plans should never promote extreme gender ideology, especially on our youth,” said Risch. “My Protecting Minors in Federal Health Plans Act is commonsense legislation to ensure none of Idaho’s tax dollars fund these radical and harmful medical procedures.”
Risch is joined by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) in introducing the Protecting Minors in Federal Health Plans Act.
“When President Trump took office, he represented the majority of Americans who agree mutilation and gender-transition surgeries for children are wrong,” said Lummis. “I speak for the people of Wyoming when I say our tax dollars should not contribute to these procedures, and I am proud to join Senator Risch and President Trump in restoring commonsense to America.”
Under the Biden administration, the Office of Personnel Management encouraged FEHB carriers to cover “comprehensive gender-affirming care,” including hormone therapy, genital surgeries, facial reconstruction surgeries, and other services. Taxpayer-funded government contributions for FEHB plan premiums are estimated to total $50 billion in 2025.
In January, President Trump issued an Executive Order on Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation, declaring that the federal government would not fund, promote, or assist gender-transition procedures for minors. The order emphasized that such interventions are based on ideology rather than sound medical science and directed federal agencies to eliminate policies that support them. The Protecting Minors in Federal Health Plans Act codifies a portion of President Trump’s executive order.
The Protecting Minors in Federal Health Plans Act has received support from the Idaho Family Policy Center and the American Principles Project.
“Our tax dollars should never be used for the purpose of sterilizing children with gender dysphoria. These children are struggling—and they need real help, not irreversible surgical and pharmaceutical interventions. Both the State of Idaho and the Trump administration have taken steps to protect these vulnerable children. Now, it’s time that the U.S. Congress follows this growing consensus. Idaho Family Policy Center thanks Senator Risch for his bold leadership in introducing this legislation to stop federal health plans from covering these destructive and highly experimental sex change procedures for children,” said Blaine Conzatti, President of Idaho Family Policy Center.
About Jim Risch
Jim Risch proudly represents the people of Idaho in the United States Senate. He currently chairs the Foreign Relations Committee and sits on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Risch previously served as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Senator. For the latest press releases and constituent services visit risch.senate.gov.
