MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today joined a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict access to healthcare for transgender youth.
The lawsuit targets recent federal actions aimed at deterring providers from offering medically appropriate care to individuals under age 19, even in states like Wisconsin where such care is legal. The lawsuit argues that the administration is overstepping its authority by using threats of criminal prosecution and federal investigations to pressure health care providers. The coalition is asking the court to block these actions and protect access to care for patients who need it.
“The Trump administration shouldn’t be interfering with the provision of health care,” said AG Kaul. “The administration should be respecting individual liberty and equal rights, not shamefully targeting transgender people.”
On January 28, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order restricting medically necessary health care for youth. It defined everyone under 19 as a child, even though states like Wisconsin consider 18-year-olds legal adults, and described recognized medical treatments as “chemical and surgical mutilation.” The order directed the U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ) to pursue enforcement actions related to this care. Since then, US DOJ has issued subpoenas to providers, demanded private patient data, and suggested that criminal charges may follow. The attorneys general argue that these efforts have no legal basis and are intended to discourage providers from offering medically necessary health care that is lawful under state law.
The attorneys general warn that the administration’s tactics are already having an impact. In some states, providers have begun to reduce or eliminate services, and patients are reporting canceled appointments and confusion about whether they can continue their care. The lawsuit seeks to prevent further harm and to ensure that transgender youth and young adults and their families can access care without being targeted by the federal government.
Medical experts, including every major national medical association, agree that medical care is necessary for many transgender young people. Denying this care has been shown to worsen mental health outcomes, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
The coalition argues that the Trump Administration’s actions violate the Constitution, exceed federal authority, and undermine state laws that require equal access to medical treatment. The lawsuit asks the court to block the administration’s actions and stop the enforcement of these executive orders.
Joining AG Kaul in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia, as well as the Governor of Pennsylvania.
A copy of the complaint is available here.
View this press release on the DOJ website here.
