- Some hospitals across the U.S. have suspended gender transition surgeries and hormone therapy for minors following President Trump’s executive order. The executive order bans gender transition surgeries or hormone treatments for minors.
- Protests have started outside hospitals that have paused procedures, and state attorneys general are reminding hospitals of their legal obligations to comply with state laws.
- The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether states have the authority to ban transgender treatments for minors in July.
Full Story
Hospitals from Los Angeles to New York City have been canceling gender transition surgeries and hormone therapy appointments for minors. The cancellations come after President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on Jan. 28, titled Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.
Trump’s executive order and its impact on hospitals
The executive order states: “The United States will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another.” It also threatens to withhold federal funding from hospitals that provide such treatments to minors.
Legal challenges and hospital responses
While the order is facing legal challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union, it has already led some hospitals to suspend hormone treatment programs for youth. Reports from various health systems indicate these suspensions, including:
- Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
- Denver Health in Colorado.
- Children’s Hospital of Richmond, Virginia.
- NYU Langone and Mount Sinai Health Systems in New York.
Hospitals in Los Angeles, New York City and other major cities, have suspended consultations for gender transition surgery and hormone therapy for minors.
Protests begin outside hospitals
Opponents of the executive order have protested outside some of these hospitals the night of Monday, Feb. 3. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside NYU Langone in Manhattan following reports that several minors had their transition treatments canceled.
New York attorney general warns hospitals
New York Attorney General Letitia James sent a letter to the hospitals, reminding them of their obligation to comply with state laws. The letter emphasized that regardless of federal funding availability, the hospitals must adhere to New York’s legal requirements.
State laws on gender transition treatment
Currently, 26 states have enacted laws restricting gender transition medical treatments for minors. Meanwhile, states like California, Colorado, Michigan, Maine and New York have passed laws to protect youth access to such treatments.
Supreme Court to decide on state authority
As President Trump advocates for a federal policy on the issue, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this July on whether states have the authority to ban transgender treatments for minors.
