US debate on gender‑inclusive medical language

In late July 2026, the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in medical schools. Republican members pressed university leaders to adopt the term “pregnant people” instead of “pregnant women.” Rep. Randy Fine of Florida denounced the idea that trans men could become pregnant as “crazy,” while Rep. Mary Miller questioned UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood about the university’s teaching guide recommending the inclusive terminology. Hawgood affirmed that transgender individuals can become pregnant and said he uses “pregnant women” in practice.

A second report on July 31 noted that Fine repeated his criticism on the social‑media platform X, underscoring the ongoing partisan clash over gender‑inclusive language in medical education. The hearings illustrate the broader U.S. political dispute over how medical curricula should address transgender health and the language used to describe patients.