Hospitals Suspend Gender-Affirming Treatments for Minors Amid New Federal Directive

In response to a Trump-era executive order, several hospitals have paused gender-affirming treatments for minors, affecting funding and care for LGBTQ+ youth.

Following an executive order from former President Donald Trump, several hospitals across Virginia, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., have paused their gender-affirming medical treatments for minors grappling with gender dysphoria.

This directive aims to cut federal funding for what the administration describes as the “chemical and surgical mutilation” of children.

Hospitals Affected by the Order

Notable medical facilities, including Denver Health, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health, and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, are among those halting these crucial services.

Children’s National Hospital in D.C. has also declared that it will stop prescribing puberty blockers and hormone-suppressing drugs to transgender youth, although it clarified that it had previously never undertaken sex-reassignment surgeries for minors.

Regulatory Changes and Compliance

This executive order, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” mandates a review of federal funding for medical institutions engaged in experimental treatments aimed at adolescents struggling with gender identity.

Specifically, the order addresses individuals under 19 years of age and instructs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to re-evaluate the existing research regarding appropriate care for children with gender dysphoria.

In response to the order, VCU Health has committed to ensuring its care remains in legal compliance.

Similarly, Denver Health has suspended sex-change surgeries as it assesses its adherence to the new directive, which threatens penalties for non-compliance, including possible losses of Medicare and Medicaid funding.

Broader Implications and Trends

The ramifications of this order go far beyond surgical procedures; they also affect the availability of intervention coverage for minors relying on Medicaid and Medicare, which could significantly impact the financial health of hospitals.

Denver Health has reiterated its commitment to serving LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse patients as it adapts to this evolving regulatory environment.

This initiative reflects a broader trend seen in numerous states and countries reconsidering their approach to treating gender dysphoria among minors.

In the U.S., more than 24 states have enacted laws that restrict access to gender-affirming treatments for young people.

Additionally, new guidelines from the UK’s National Health Service advocate for caution when prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors, pointing out concerns about the quality of available research examining long-term consequences.

Source: Christianpost

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Lauren Bauer

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