Missouri judge to decide if strict rule limiting trans health care can take effect

A Missouri judge will rule Monday on an attempt to implement a rule requiring over a year of therapy and restrictions before receiving gender-affirming care.
The rule was created by Missouri's Republican Attorney General and requires three years of documented gender dysphoria and 15 therapy sessions over 18 months minimum before treatments like hormones or surgery.
Transgender Missourians and health care providers are suing to block the "discriminatory and illegal" rule.
Some trans people fear losing access to life-saving care and are stockpiling hormones or seeking alternate means of obtaining them.
Missouri lawmakers are also debating bills to ban gender-affirming care for minors altogether.