A judge from the District of Columbia has ordered several health agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC, to bring back web pages and data that were taken down following former President Trump’s executive order on gender ideology. This action is in place while legal proceedings continue.
Dr. Christine Petrin, who heads Doctors for America, shared her thoughts on this decision. She highlighted how critical it is for healthcare providers to have access to essential clinical information. The removal of vital web pages could endanger patient care. She expressed support for the judge’s ruling, as it helps ensure that healthcare providers have the information they need to keep their patients safe and healthy.
According to the ruling, the agencies must restore the web pages to their original versions by 11:59 PM on February 11, 2025. They also need to identify any other resources that doctors rely on for patient care that were either removed or changed after January 29, 2025. By February 14, 2025, those resources should also be restored to their previous versions. A joint report from both sides outlining compliance must be submitted by 5 PM on February 13, 2025.
This lawsuit was initiated by Doctors for America earlier this month after the executive order led to the removal of important public health information. The order has raised concerns about the removal of protections for gender identity, which could directly impact essential healthcare for transgender individuals. Organizations like the ACLU have argued that such actions threaten fundamental rights to self-determination and self-expression for everyone.
