FTC alleges influential transgender health organization misled parents about safety of youth treatments

2026-06-17T18:48:12-04:00 / Fox News

Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas joined the federal complaint against the widely cited medical organization

By Brittany Miller Fox News

Published June 17, 2026 6:48pm EDT

Video

Advocacy group calls for FTC probe into APA over transgender care for kids

Dr. Kurt Miceli, Chief Medical Officer of “Do No Harm,” raises concerns over the American Psychological Association’s (APA) contradictory messages regarding gender-affirming care for children and adolescents. His advocacy group calls for a Federal Trade Commission probe into the APA’s alleged promotion of sex changes for minors, highlighting the organization’s conflicting statements made in 2024 and 2025.

NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and four Republican-led states sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) on Wednesday, alleging the influential medical organization misled parents and doctors about the safety, effectiveness and necessity of transgender medical treatments for minors.

The lawsuit alleges WPATH, whose standards of care are widely used by physicians treating patients with gender dysphoria, made deceptive claims about puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and sex change surgeries while failing to adequately disclose potential risks and side effects.

“Parents have a right to make informed decisions about their children’s health,” FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson wrote on X. “The FTC will not allow parents and children to be deceived by medical organizations and providers who are prioritizing profit over children’s health and safety.”

‘TRANSGENDER MADNESS’ UNDER FIRE AFTER CONGRESS LETS TAXPAYER FUNDING BAN LAPSE

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson speaks during the Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington, D.C., in April. On Wednesday, the FTC sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, alleging the organization misled parents and doctors about transgender medical treatments for minors.(Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images, File)

According to the complaint, WPATH removed age-based recommendations for certain transgender procedures from its Standards of Care. The FTC also alleges the organization promoted treatments that were not adequately supported by evidence regarding their safety and effectiveness.

The lawsuit, filed alongside Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas, marks the latest effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to scrutinize medical interventions for transgender minors.

WPATH previously sued to block an FTC investigation into the organization, arguing the agency violated its First Amendment rights. A federal judge in May temporarily blocked the probe.

SEN HAWLEY WARNS IT WOULD BE ‘UNCONSCIONABLE’ IF BILLIONS OF TAXPAYER FUNDS FLOW TO TRANS KIDS’ SEX CHANGES

A transgender rights supporter participates in a rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court during protests on Capitol Hill.(Getty Images, File)

WPATH rejected the allegations and said its standards are intended to support individualized patient care. In a statement provided to The Associated Press, the organization said its guidelines are based on individualized treatment rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Fox News Digital reached out to WPATH for additional comment but did not immediately receive a response.

“WPATH is in a strong position to prove that the FTC is acting out of pure retaliation as part of the federal government’s relentless and targeted campaign to undermine gender-affirming care by attacking the First Amendment rights and the independence of professional medical organizations,” the group said in a statement to the AP.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The lawsuit comes amid a broader national debate over puberty blockers, hormone therapies and sex change surgeries for minors.

Supporters argue the treatments can be medically necessary for some patients, while critics contend the long-term risks are not fully understood and that children may be unable to provide informed consent.

Brittany Miller is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital. Tips can be sent to brittany.miller@fox.com and @BrittMillerFox on X.

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6393542121112