Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), convened a tense meeting with leaders of major medical societies to discuss transgender medical care for teenagers. The Society for Plastic Surgeons became the first group to publicly diverge from the consensus, announcing it would recommend deferring gender-related surgeries until age 19 due to limited and low-quality research on their benefits in minors. This shift, effective February 3rd, contrasts with the American Medical Association's recent hedging of its guidelines, though it maintains support for gender-affirming care overall.

The meeting highlighted deep divisions, with critics arguing opponents exploit research ambiguity for political ends, while Oz emphasized the need for more evidence. The American Psychiatric Association and American Academy of Family Physicians reaffirmed their support for evidence-based interventions, citing mental health benefits. The political entanglement of the debate, fueled by the Trump administration's efforts to restrict such care, underscores the high stakes for providers and insurers navigating evolving policies.