Obtaining gender-affirming healthcare for minors is facing increased difficulties
In a concerning turn of events, hospitals across the United States are discontinuing or scaling back gender-affirming care for minors due to pressure from the federal government threatening to withhold or eliminate Medicare and Medicaid funding.
This federal crackdown includes subpoenas to providers, investigations, and warnings citing "harmful interventions" for minors. As a result, hospitals such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Kaiser Permanente, University of Chicago Medicine, and Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana, have either closed their pediatric gender clinics or stopped surgeries and certain treatments for transgender youth to avoid losing federal funds and legal risks.
Community Medical Center in Montana is the only hospital in the state that has discontinued gender-affirming care for minors, making it unavailable in the region. This decision has left families like E's feeling betrayed. E's daughter, about a year away from puberty, plans to receive puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy, which major medical associations consider appropriate for gender dysphoria. However, the family is now seeking care at Seattle Children's Hospital, a seven-hour drive from their location.
Liz, a transgender youth in Missoula, is planning to drive to Seattle Children's Hospital for gender care, but worries about the hospital's ability to continue serving transgender kids. Liz fears for her safety and is only using her first name and having someone else read her quotes. She expresses concerns that Seattle Children's could be the next hospital to stop offering this care, leaving her once again without treatment.
The Montana Supreme Court has permanently protected gender care for minors, but the federal pressure continues to mount. The Trump administration has called gender-affirming care harmful and is threatening to withhold funding from hospitals that do not comply. This has created a nationwide chilling effect, forcing many hospitals to limit or stop care to avoid jeopardizing federal funding and facing legal consequences.
Despite the challenges, both E and Liz remain hopeful that they will receive the care they need. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the importance of access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth and the need for federal policies that support, rather than restrict, this essential healthcare.
[1] "Children's Hospital Los Angeles ends transgender care program." Los Angeles Times. 23 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-07-23/childrens-hospital-los-angeles-ends-transgender-care-program
[2] "In a landmark move, Children's Hospital LA closes its gender-affirming care center today." LAist. 23 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://laist.com/news/health/in-a-landmark-move-childrens-hospital-la-closes-its-gender-affirming-care-center-today
[3] "Kaiser Permanente health: Transgender gender-affirming care surgery." OPB.org. 24 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/24/kaiser-permanente-health-transgender-gender-affirming-care-surgery/
[4] "Latest moves by federal agencies regarding gender-affirming care risks mount for providers." Health Law Advisor. 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.healthlawadvisor.com/latest-moves-by-federal-agencies-regarding-gender-affirming-care-risks-mount-for-providers
- This federal policy and legislative action, as reported in the news, is causing a ripple effect in the medical community, leading to the discontinuation of gender-affirming care programs at prominent hospitals such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Kaiser Permanente.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, this policy change is causing significant distress within transgender communities, with community members like Liz considering moves to seek care in other states, like Seattle, due to concerns about their safety and the future of their treatment.
- Consequently, this situation sheds light on the broader implications of policy-and-legislation decisions, as access to essential medical services can have a significant impact on public health, general-news, and the well-being of affected communities.
- It is essential for policymakers to consider the science-backed evidence supporting gender-affirming care, and its role in addressing the health needs of transgender youth, as they make decisions affecting the delivery of healthcare services.
