Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital Has Paused Gender-Affirming Medication for Under 18s Amid Federal Probe Threats
A decision made by the hospital in response to recent referrals from Trump administration officials has left patients and advocates worried about access to crucial care. Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital, one of the nation's oldest gender-affirming programs, will no longer provide prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy or puberty blockers to new patients under 18 years old.
This move comes after Health and Human Services General Counsel Mike Stuart announced a referral for an investigation by the U.S Department of Health & Human Services office of inspector general. The investigation is part of a broader crackdown on gender-affirming care by the Trump administration, which claims that such treatments are "harmful" to transgender and non-binary individuals.
The hospital stated in a statement that the decision was made due to the "threats of investigations" from the U.S Department and its impact on their ability to provide medical care. The Lurie Children's program has faced criticism under previous administration for restricting treatment options for minors, including canceling surgery appointments at nearby Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The hospital's move is part of a growing trend across the nation where hospitals have curtailed or paused treatments in response to federal reprisals. This includes thousands of patients being cut off from care due to fear of government repercussions.
Critics are warning that this decision will disproportionately affect transgender and non-binary minors, who face significant barriers in accessing medical care even before they reach adulthood. Advocates argue that such measures amount to "discrimination" against these individuals and undermine the very principles of healthcare that aim to promote equality and well-being.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined forces with attorneys general from other states to challenge the administration's actions in court, claiming that its attempts to restrict gender-affirming care are aimed at erasing the identities of transgender and non-binary individuals. The lawsuit highlights concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to pull funding from institutions providing these services and threaten federal investigations into local hospitals.
As the debate over access to healthcare for transgender and non-binary minors continues, advocates are calling on lawmakers to take action against policies that restrict medical care for vulnerable populations.
A decision made by the hospital in response to recent referrals from Trump administration officials has left patients and advocates worried about access to crucial care. Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital, one of the nation's oldest gender-affirming programs, will no longer provide prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy or puberty blockers to new patients under 18 years old.
This move comes after Health and Human Services General Counsel Mike Stuart announced a referral for an investigation by the U.S Department of Health & Human Services office of inspector general. The investigation is part of a broader crackdown on gender-affirming care by the Trump administration, which claims that such treatments are "harmful" to transgender and non-binary individuals.
The hospital stated in a statement that the decision was made due to the "threats of investigations" from the U.S Department and its impact on their ability to provide medical care. The Lurie Children's program has faced criticism under previous administration for restricting treatment options for minors, including canceling surgery appointments at nearby Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The hospital's move is part of a growing trend across the nation where hospitals have curtailed or paused treatments in response to federal reprisals. This includes thousands of patients being cut off from care due to fear of government repercussions.
Critics are warning that this decision will disproportionately affect transgender and non-binary minors, who face significant barriers in accessing medical care even before they reach adulthood. Advocates argue that such measures amount to "discrimination" against these individuals and undermine the very principles of healthcare that aim to promote equality and well-being.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined forces with attorneys general from other states to challenge the administration's actions in court, claiming that its attempts to restrict gender-affirming care are aimed at erasing the identities of transgender and non-binary individuals. The lawsuit highlights concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to pull funding from institutions providing these services and threaten federal investigations into local hospitals.
As the debate over access to healthcare for transgender and non-binary minors continues, advocates are calling on lawmakers to take action against policies that restrict medical care for vulnerable populations.
i'm a bit concerned about what's going on with gender-affirming medication for kids at chicago's hospital. it feels like they're being forced into hiding because of some government threats 
can't we just focus on helping these young people without all the drama? it's not like they're asking for a cure, just to be themselves 
meanwhile, i'm sure there are tons of resources and support out there already, but sometimes more isn't always better 
i wish lawmakers would just talk things through with each other instead of taking sides 
anyway, i was reading this article about how some hospitals are getting all these threats from the fed and now they're just gonna stop giving care to patients... isn't that kinda like, a federal emergency or something? 
this is really concerning... i feel so bad for those kids who are already struggling with their identities and now they're being told they can't have the care they need 
. and it's not just about the kids, it's about all the parents who are going to freak out when they find out their kids can't get the care they need anymore 
. this is so messed up 
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as if being trans or non-binary is some kinda crime? 
check out this article 
And what about all the kids who've already been through the process? Are they supposed to just forget everything now? 
I need some facts on this one. No sources, no context... it's like they're hiding something. 
.
. This isn't about politics; it's about human rights and basic medical care 
. We can't let fear of government repercussions dictate our healthcare choices 
.
. This is so not okay...