More hospitals cease gender treatments for young people following Trump’s executive order

Hospitals Reassess Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

In light of recent executive orders, more hospitals are reconsidering their approaches to providing “gender-affirming care” to younger patients.

Rush Medical Center in Chicago is the latest major healthcare facility to confirm it has ceased these gender-related treatments. Spokesman Tobin Klinger noted that hormone therapy for new patients under 18 has been “suspended.” Notably, the hospital hasn’t performed gender-related surgeries on minors since 2023.

Interestingly, adults will still qualify for treatment, as will minors already receiving care.

A report from the HHS indicates that treatments for gender discomfort can carry “serious risks” for children and teenagers. Following an executive order from President Donald Trump on January 28, 2025, which aims to protect children from “chemical and surgical resection,” this change has taken shape. The order mandates that the administration will not “fund, sponsor, promote, support, or support” any procedures related to transitioning genders.

For those under 19, the order highlights that “chemical and surgical amputations” could include a range of interventions such as puberty blockers and sex hormones.

On July 9, the Department of Justice revealed it had issued over 20 subpoenas to clinics involved in transgender medical procedures for minors. Attorney General Pamela Bondy stated that medical professionals and organizations that harm children under ideologically driven conditions will be held accountable.

Other hospitals are also adapting their practices. For instance, New York-Presbyterian has altered the language on its Compass program website, which used to refer to itself as a “safe space for navigating gender experiences.” It now calls itself a “support space for youth and gender,” removing references to gender-maintaining care.

A spokesperson for New York-Presbyterian emphasized their commitment to comply with state and federal laws while prioritizing compassionate care for all patients.

Stanford Medicine has similarly ceased “gender-affirming surgeries,” stating its decision followed careful evaluation of recent federal guidelines and consultations within its clinical leadership.

It was reported that soon after Trump’s executive order, NYU Langone began canceling appointments for hormone treatment and surgeries, with parents asserting that new patients under 19 were no longer being accepted for these services.

The Cleveland Clinic confirmed via a survey that it too does not provide gender-affirming treatments to under-19 patients.

Previous studies have suggested that “gender-maintaining surgeries” can negatively impact mental health in younger individuals, with heightened incidences of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders observed among those who have undergone such surgeries.

Dr. Brett Osborne, a neurosurgeon from Florida, and Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in Manhattan, have both voiced concerns regarding gender-affirming surgeries for youth. They argue that young individuals dealing with gender discomfort should receive appropriate support without feeling pressured to take drastic life-changing steps.

Osborne emphasized the importance of comprehensive psychological evaluations, particularly for those already facing mental health challenges, suggesting mental health support should come before any surgical interventions.

Both practitioners warned against the irreversible nature of hormone therapy and its lifelong implications. They insisted that decisions affecting young people’s bodies should be made cautiously, to avoid regrettable outcomes.