FTC sues leading transgender medical group over pediatric care statements

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and four states on Wednesday sued the leading medical organization focused on transgender health for allegedly making false and unsubstantiated claims to parents in order to sell pediatric medical transition services. 

The FTC’s lawsuit against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is the latest Trump administration effort to target institutions connected to gender-affirming treatment for transgender youth. 

Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas joined the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas. 

The FTC and its state partners allege that WPATH failed to disclose side effects and misrepresented the medical necessity of gender-affirming medical care for minors. 

The lawsuit alleges that WPATH made these deceptive claims and deemed nearly all medical transition services as “medically necessary” to maximize the likelihood that insurers will pay for the pediatric transition procedures, including services that parents would otherwise be unable or unwilling to purchase without insurance, FTC Director of Public Affairs Joe Simonson told reporters.  

“WPATH professional members have profited immensely from the organization’s work, but this........

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