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

In wake of President Donald Trump signing an executive order halting federal support for gender transition for minors, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles announced Wednesday that it is pausing the initiation of hormonal therapy for all gender-affirming care patients under the age of 19.

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

Patients already receiving treatment will not be impacted. 

"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," CHLA said in a statement. 

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.

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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.

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." 

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