Minnesota Children’s Hospital Halts Sales of Transition Medications for Minors
Minnesota Children’s Hospital has announced it will stop offering sex-change medications to minors, a decision that follows pressure from the Trump administration. The hospital conveyed on its Gender Health Program page that there has been a notable increase in federal scrutiny toward child health systems providing such care.
The statement emphasized that these federal actions could jeopardize the stability of the state’s lone comprehensive pediatric health care system, affecting the capacity of current and future medical professionals to deliver care. Starting February 27, 2026, the hospital plans to temporarily cease prescriptions for puberty blockers and hormones (estrogen and testosterone) to patients under 18.
Despite this suspension, the hospital’s Gender Health program will persist, continuing to offer mental health services and guidance on various treatment options, both medical and non-medical. Officials described the decision as challenging, insisting that gender-affirming care is evidence-based and crucial for the well-being of transgender and gender-diverse youth.
This development comes after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a rule on December 18, 2025, which would prohibit hospitals from administering procedures they categorize as “sexual mutilation” to minors in order to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid funding.
HHS argues that treatments like puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones can lead to serious, irreversible harm, including infertility and other life-altering health issues.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health, expressed that medical professionals have a sacred obligation to protect children. He criticized the current trend of performing irreversible procedures, arguing that it conflicts with the Hippocratic Oath and jeopardizes the lives of vulnerable patients.
Kennedy also accused the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics of promoting misleading treatments for youth struggling with gender identity. He highlighted their responsibility toward an estimated 300,000 teenagers who may have been misled regarding their gender identity.
Currently, HHS is investigating hospitals nationwide for potentially providing transition medications and surgeries to minors. In a recent inquiry, the General Counsel of the HHS specifically mentioned Children’s Hospital of Minnesota among others, although the hospital asserts it does not perform gender reassignment surgeries on minors.
The Trump administration’s strict stance on healthcare for minors sharply contrasts with the Biden administration’s earlier promotion of gender reassignment measures. At least 19 states, predominantly led by Democrats, including Minnesota, are suing the Trump administration over attempts to restrict such medical treatments for minors.
