California hospitals, care providers warned not to stop providing transgender services to minors: AG

LOS ANGELES - California Attorney General Rob Bonta is warning state hospitals and care providers to continue providing transgender services to minors after President Donald Trump announced an executive order halting federal support for gender transition for patients under age 19.

"California supports the rights of transgender youth to live their lives as their authentic selves," said Attorney General Bonta in a letter Wednesday.  

"We will not let the President turn back the clock or deter us from upholding California values. I understand that the President’s executive order on gender affirming care has created some confusion. Let me be clear: California law has not changed, and hospitals and clinics have a legal obligation to provide equal access to healthcare services."

SUGGESTED: Trump signs order aiming to limit gender transitions for minors

In his letter, Bonta highlighted that he joined over 20 attorneys general suing in federal district court to ask the court to not freeze up to $3 trillion in federal funding for services for transgender minors. 

Children's Hospital LA response

Bonta's warning comes a day after Children's Hospital Los Angeles announced it is pausing the initiation of hormonal therapy for all gender-affirming care patients under 19.

On its website, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles said it has "one of the oldest and largest transyouth programs," and that "the Center partners with youth and their families to advance the field through innovative practice, training and research."

CHLA released the following statement in response:

"At this time, CHLA is pausing the initiation of hormonal therapies for all gender affirming care patients under the age of 19 and maintaining the existing pause on gender-affirming surgeries on minors. Current patients already receiving treatment will continue with their course of care. We continue to carefully evaluate the Executive Order to fully understand its implications. The physical and mental health, safety and well-being of all of our patients remains our highest priority. CHLA will continue to support our patients and their families with access to robust mental health and social support services, ensuring our patients continue to have access to high-quality care and the best possible health outcomes."

The hospital also said it will continue to maintain its existing pause on gender-affirming surgeries on minors. 

SUGGESTED: Children's Hospital LA pausing gender-affirming care for patients under 19

Patients already receiving treatment will not be impacted. 

Pushback from LA LGBT Center

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is now calling on Children's Hospital to resume gender-affirming care for new patients. 

They released a statement online saying in part, "The Trump's administration's relentless, calculated assault on transgender rights is nothing short of an all-out war on the dignity, safety, and existence of our TGNBI+ community. These efforts are not just cruel- they are designed to strip trans people, especially trans youth, of their fundamental rights and humanity." 

What's in the executive order

The order directs that federally-run insurance programs, including TRICARE for military families and Medicaid, exclude coverage for such care and calls on the Department of Justice to vigorously pursue litigation and legislation to oppose the practice.

Medicaid programs in some states cover gender-affirming care. The new order suggests that the practice could end, and targets hospitals and universities that receive federal money and provide the care.

Medicaid programs in some states cover gender-affirming care. The new order suggests that practice could end and target hospitals and universities that receive federal money and provide the care.