Hospitals across Colorado, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., have announced they are pausing gender-affirming care for young people as they assess the impact of President Donald Trump's recent executive order. This order, signed on January 30, 2025, aims to cut federal support for gender-affirming care, prompting several hospitals to reconsider their practices to comply with federal funding requirements.
Denver Health confirmed it has halted gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under the age of 19. The spokesperson for the hospital made it clear the decision was made to align with the new executive directives. Uncertainty remains as to whether Denver Health will continue providing other forms of gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers, which are also under scrutiny.
Similarly, VCU Health and Children’s Hospital of Richmond in Virginia have announced the suspension of gender-affirming medications and surgical procedures for minors, reflecting the growing concern over compliance with the federal order. Meanwhile, Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., indicated it has “paused prescriptions of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to comply with the directives.” A spokesperson for the Children’s National Hospital clarified they do not perform gender-affirming surgeries on minors at all.
President Trump’s order is seen as part of a broader initiative to reverse the protective measures established during the Biden administration aimed at safeguarding transgender people's access to needed medical care. The order explicitly instructs agencies to enforce restrictions on hospitals receiving federal research and education grants, demanding they “end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”
The language of the executive order has raised eyebrows and concerns among healthcare providers and advocates for transgender rights. Many have criticized the use of terms such as “maiming,” “sterilizing,” and “mutilation” to describe standard gender-affirming healthcare practices. This rhetoric stands contrary to long-established medical guidelines and care standards. For example, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has labeled these restrictive measures as harmful, stating, “Restrictions and bans on access to necessary medical care for transgender youth are harmful to patients and their families.”
Despite these suspensions, not all hospitals are immediately halting their services. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, for example, stated they are currently reviewing the executive order and assessing the potential impact on the clinical services they provide. “Our team will continue to advocate for access to medically necessary care, grounded in science and compassion for the patient-families we are so privileged to serve,” emphasized their spokesperson.
The interruption of gender-affirming care poses serious risks for the mental health of transgender adolescents. Denver Health has expressed its commitment to supporting the health and safety of its gender-diverse patients, even as they navigate the constraints imposed by the executive order. “Denver Health is committed to and deeply concerned for the health and safety of our gender diverse patients under the age of 19,” said their spokesperson.
The recent changes have sparked discussions about the availability of gender-affirming care for young individuals. A recent study highlights the rarity of such medical interventions, with fewer than 1 in 1,000 adolescents with commercial insurance receiving puberty blockers or hormones within the past five years. Gender-affirming procedures remain limited, mainly not performed on minors, contributing to concerns about access and the repercussions of losing available healthcare options.
With these developments, the intersection of politics and healthcare continues to create tensions and uncertainties for transgender individuals and their families. The healthcare community is divided on how to approach the executive order, leading to varying responses depending on the institution's policies and mission.
Concerned parents and youth advocates are watching closely as health authorities respond to the federal directive. The growing discourse around transgender minors and access to medical support is reflective of larger societal debates surrounding gender identity, healthcare rights, and the responsibilities of institutions to serve all patients with dignity and compassion.
It remains to be seen how hospitals will navigate these changes and what impact they will have on the LGBT community, particularly for young people seeking gender-affirming care. Providers promise to treat patients with the utmost care, but political changes can have far-reaching effects on the healthcare youth receive.