Federal Judge Overturns Biden-Era Transgender Healthcare Protections Across 15 States

A federal judge in Mississippi overturned a Biden-era rule that extended federal anti-discrimination protections under Title IX to include gender identity, specifically safeguarding transgender healthcare. The ruling, supported by a coalition of 15 Republican-led states, held that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) exceeded its authority by redefining sex discrimination to prohibit gender identity discrimination, interpreting "sex" based on its 1972 meaning as biological sex. The decision invalidates provisions that prevented healthcare providers and insurers from denying transgender-related medical treatments, emphasizing congressional intent at the time Title IX was enacted. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised the ruling as a defense against federal overreach and the imposition of "radical gender ideology" in healthcare. This case highlights ongoing legal battles over transgender rights, coinciding with Supreme Court cases that could further impact LGBTQ civil rights protections. The ruling also underscores tensions between state and federal powers in regulating healthcare and civil rights laws.