Undercover investigation reveals Planned Parenthood facilities prescribe cross-sex hormones to minors as young as 16 on their first visit, often without mental health evaluations or parental oversight.
At a Glance
- Live Action’s undercover investigation found multiple Planned Parenthood locations offering same-day hormone prescriptions to minors
- Investigation recorded facilities requiring no mental health assessments before prescribing hormone treatments with permanent side effects
- Planned Parenthood receives over $700 million in taxpayer funding annually while providing these services
- House Republicans are considering measures to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood as part of budget discussions
- Critics argue the organization’s “informed consent” model puts vulnerable youth at risk
Live Action’s Undercover Investigation Findings
Pro-life organization Live Action has released findings from an undercover investigation claiming Planned Parenthood readily provides cross-sex hormones to minors without adequate safeguards. The investigation involved a woman posing as a 16-year-old seeking “gender-affirming care” who contacted multiple Planned Parenthood facilities. According to Live Action, at least seven locations offered to prescribe hormones during the first appointment, with five facilities indicating no need for prior therapy, mental health clearance, or documentation.
The investigation further revealed that some facilities offered these services through virtual consultations with same-day prescriptions. Critics argue this “informed consent” model bypasses important medical gatekeeping that would typically be in place for treatments with potentially permanent consequences, including infertility. Live Action has launched a comprehensive campaign around these findings that includes a policy report, digital billboards in New York’s Times Square, and calls for Congress to defund Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood’s Gender Services Expansion
Planned Parenthood has significantly expanded its transgender health services in recent years. According to their 2022 reports, 45 Planned Parenthood affiliates now provide “gender-affirming hormone therapy” including estrogen, anti-androgens, testosterone, and puberty blockers. The organization has positioned itself as a leading provider of hormone treatments for young people through an “informed consent” policy that minimizes traditional gatekeeping.
“Our undercover reporting has exposed a chilling reality: Planned Parenthood is fast-tracking vulnerable children into irreversible hormone treatments with almost no medical oversight. These dangerous drugs can sterilize, stunt growth, and leave lifelong scars. This is not healthcare. It is child abuse, and it must be stopped.” sources report.
The investigation also claims that minors can receive hormones without a parent present during the entire appointment, and some locations reportedly do not verify the identity of adults accompanying minors. This practice has raised concerns about consent protocols and parental rights. Medical professionals within the Planned Parenthood system have acknowledged this streamlined approach to hormone access, with the North Central States medical director Nicole Chaisson confirming they have “adopted an expedited access policy on an ‘informed consent’ basis.”
Congressional Funding Debates and Advocacy Response
As part of the ongoing budget discussions, House Republicans are considering measures that would end federal funding for organizations like Planned Parenthood. House Speaker Mike Johnson has specifically mentioned targeting “big abortion” in the budget reconciliation process. Live Action’s campaign explicitly calls for Congress to defund Planned Parenthood of the approximately $700 million they receive in taxpayer dollars annually.
“In recent years, Planned Parenthood clinics have adopted an expedited access policy on an ‘informed consent’ basis.” the report says.
The organization’s campaign includes policy recommendations for lawmakers and medical professionals. Live Action, led by founder Lila Rose, frames their mission as protecting vulnerable populations from what they describe as harmful practices. Critics of Planned Parenthood’s hormone policies point to testimonies from individuals who have detransitioned and studies suggesting that most children with gender dysphoria outgrow it by late adolescence. Some medical professionals question whether gender reassignment procedures effectively resolve underlying mental health issues that may be present.
Detransitioner Testimonies Raise Concerns
The investigation has highlighted testimonies from individuals who have reversed their transitions, including Elle Palmer, who received testosterone as a teenager. Palmer describes being put on testosterone despite a history of mental health challenges, including hospitalization and trauma. Her experience raises questions about whether adequate psychological evaluation occurs before hormone therapy is prescribed to minors.
Medical critics of the current transgender treatment model point to research suggesting that cross-sex hormonal treatments carry significant risks beyond sterilization, including cardiovascular issues and other long-term health effects. The debate centers on finding the appropriate balance between providing supportive care for gender-questioning youth while ensuring thorough evaluation and informed consent, particularly for treatments with permanent consequences. The Live Action investigation has intensified calls for greater oversight of organizations providing gender-affirming care to minors.
