Missouri judge temporarily blocks rule restricting gender-affirming healthcare

Decision suspends rule imposed by Republican state attorney general hours before it was due to take effect

A Missouri judge on Wednesday temporarily halted enforcement of a first-of-its-kind rule that restricts access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender children and adults, hours before it was set to take effect.

The rule, introduced by Andrew Bailey, the Republican state attorney general, would place requirements on minors and adults before they are allowed to receive gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers or hormones. It was set to take effect on Thursday, but transgender Missourians and healthcare providers sued to stop it.