Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/good-news-friday-ending-transgender-treatments-for-children-edges-closer-hhs-ends-grants-to-aap/
Health
Legislative efforts are progressing to restrict gender-related medical interventions for minors. The House of Representatives approved the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, in a 216-211 vote. The bill would make transgender treatments, including surgeries and puberty blockers, criminal offenses for individuals under 18, with penalties up to 10 years in prison; it exempts procedures deemed medically necessary, such as those for precocious puberty. In addition, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz have proposed regulations to prevent hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid from conducting these procedures on minors and to withhold federal funding for them under Medicaid and CHIP. Proponents cite concerns about irreversible effects, referencing a 300-page white paper outlining potential youth health risks. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups like the ACLU, have condemned the measures as extreme restrictions on medically necessary care, warning of potential legal challenges and impacts on youth mental health.
Also making medical headlines, the Department of Health and Human Services has ended about $20 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, pointing to the group’s guidance on gender-affirming care for children and COVID-19 measures, such as masking for those aged 2 and older in schools and vaccinations for infants 6-23 months old. Officials describe these steps as promoting alignment of federal funding with evidence-based pediatric health practices. The AAP has described the terminations as abrupt and retaliatory, arguing they will harm programs for infant health and developmental support.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ron Johnson has sought detailed records from HHS regarding 96 reports of child deaths after COVID-19 vaccination, following a November memo from FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director Vinay Prasad. The memo, stemming from an internal review, reportedly confirms verified pediatric fatalities associated with the vaccines and recommends tighter approval processes, including randomized trials for future vaccines. Johnson’s request also examines limitations in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, where only a portion of 9,299 global death reports received scrutiny, and notes the absence of post-market studies on risks like myocarditis in young people. Some vaccine experts have questioned the memo’s conclusions, citing a lack of transparency on causation and potential risks to public confidence without further data.
Moving to food health, the USDA has launched a $700 million pilot program to encourage regenerative agriculture practices among farmers, focusing on soil health, water management, and land stewardship. The initiative, which reportedly aligns with the Make America Healthy Again agenda, simplifies access to conservation assistance via the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports farmers transitioning from industrial methods, such as monocultures and heavy pesticide use, to sustainable techniques including cover cropping and rotational grazing. These practices are intended to address erosion impacting 25% of U.S. acres from water and 16% from wind, while improving pollinator habitats and reducing dependence on herbicides like glyphosate. Studies have linked glyphosate to potential health issues, including reproductive disorders and harm to pollinators. However, some environmental groups and online discussions have expressed skepticism about the program’s ability to fully reduce herbicide reliance, noting that certain regenerative methods like no-till farming may still depend on synthetic chemicals.
Additionally, Walmart has pledged to eliminate synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients from its store-brand foods and beverages, providing consumers with options featuring fewer additives. This action aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance availability of nutritious foods without potentially harmful substances. The changes, set to take effect by January 2027, apply only to Walmart’s private labels and have been described by some observers as a market-driven response rather than a comprehensive industry overhaul.
In home health news, Hypochlorous acid, a substance naturally produced by the human immune system, is increasingly recognized as a non-toxic disinfectant suitable for household use. According to EPA data, indoor air pollution from conventional cleaners can surpass outdoor levels by two to five times, often due to volatile organic compounds. HOCl has demonstrated effectiveness in eliminating pathogens such as staph, E. coli, and Salmonella in under a minute, without leaving harsh residues. It serves as a versatile option for surface cleaning, wound care, and odor control, backed by FDA clearance for certain medical uses. Experts have cautioned, however, that while safe, its antimicrobial benefits may not always surpass those of established cleaners, and product stability can vary.
US Politics
Part of the legislation enacted within the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act allocates funds to end taxpayer-supported experiments on dogs and cats by the Department of Defense, halting practices like testing without pain relief in U.S. and overseas facilities. This represents the first such provision in the NDAA and follows similar restrictions from Trump’s prior term that limited testing at the Department of Veterans Affairs and classified animal cruelty as a federal felony. The broader $901 billion bill has drawn mixed reactions, with some critics highlighting debates over overall military spending priorities.
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Border Czar Tom Homan, has identified and reunited over 62,000 unaccompanied migrant children who were previously unlocated after U.S. entry, tackling risks of trafficking, forced labor, and exploitation linked to earlier border approaches. Homan has underscored the administration’s dedication to locating the remaining missing children, observing that more than 500,000 such minors entered during the prior administration, with nearly 300,000 placed without comprehensive screening. Fact-checking reports have noted that while tracking efforts are underway, the scale of confirmed trafficking cases may be overstated, with many involving welfare checks rather than direct rescues.
Australian Politics
Australia’s new social media ban for users under 16 is already being labeled by many as a failure, as tech-savvy teenagers are using methods like VPNs, assistance from friends or family for age verification, and platform tweaks on sites such as TikTok and Snapchat. Government representatives emphasize that the policy holds companies accountable for disabling underage accounts, with potential fines up to $49.5 million for violations, and expect some challenges in rollout. Affected young people, who consider social media essential for building connections, propose adjustments to the ban, such as focusing on younger groups like primary school students, to strike a balance between safety and access. Officials have defended the policy’s long-term benefits for mental health despite initial workarounds, while child advocates note broad parental support. Privacy advocates maintain that it’s not the government’s role to police content and that this is best left to the parents.
Sources
USDA’s $700 Million Bet on Regenerative Farming to Revive Soil and Advance MAHA Agenda
“If we intend to Make America Healthy Again, we must begin by restoring the health of our soil.”
Source | Submitted by Walberga
House Passes “Protect Children’s Innocence Act” Criminalizing Transgender Treatments for Minors
Children are NOT experiments.
RFK Jr. Proposes Ban on Federal Funding for Minors’ Gender Surgeries in Hospitals
The first rule will bar hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid, which is almost every hospital, from performing these dangerous and harmful procedures.
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban: Teens’ Workarounds Make It a Global Joke
Looks like Australia’s social media ban for under 16s is a colossal failure and the laughing stock of the world.
Trump Signs Historic NDAA Defunding Cruel Dog and Cat Experiments in Defense Department
BREAKING: President Trump @RealDonaldTrump has just signed into law the first bill EVER that DEFUNDS the @DeptofWar ’s taxpayer funded, cruel dog and cat testing
Dr. Oz Proposes Ban on Taxpayer Funding for Transgender Procedures on Children Under Medicaid and CHIP
“FULL STOP… we’re NOT gonna let taxpayer money go to hurt these children.”
Walmart’s Big Step: Ditching Synthetic Dyes and 30 Ingredients from Store Brands
Thank you to @Walmart, the largest grocer and food retailer in the country, for committing to remove synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients from their store brand foods and beverages.
US Homeland Security Rescues 62,000 Missing Migrant Children from Trafficking Nightmare
US Homeland Security Rescues 62,000 Unaccompanied Minors From Trafficking
Source | Submitted by Rodster
Sen. Ron Johnson Demands FDA Documents on Child Deaths Tied to COVID Vaccines After ‘Blockbuster’ Memo
For the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children.
Hypochlorous Acid: The Body’s Natural Cleaner That’s Revolutionizing Home Hygiene
Hypochlorous acid is something your body already makes.
U.S. Health Department Cuts Millions in Grants to American Academy of Pediatrics
US Health Department cancels millions of dollars in grants to American Academy of Pediatrics
HHS Axes $20M in AAP Grants Over Risky Gender Care and COVID Policies
HHS has terminated multiple federal grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), totaling around $18-20 million and for good reason.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: USDA, Walmart, House, RFK Jr., U.S. Health Department, American Academy of Pediatrics, FDA, Sen. Ron Johnson, Australia, 2026 NDAA, DoD.
