CHICAGO () The University of Chicago Medical Center will cease “all gender-affirming pediatric care,” citing recent Trump administration actions that would have jeopardized its ability to treat Medicare or Medicaid patients, the medical center announced.
“As the largest Medicaid provider in Illinois, this step is necessary to ensure UChicago Medicine can continue serving our broader community and delivering on our mission,” a statement on its website read in part.
The statement did not specify which treatments would be discontinued.
Shortly after taking office in January, Trump signed an executive order aimed at cutting federal support for certain surgeries and chemical procedures for people under age 19.
The order directed that federally-run insurance programs, including TRICARE for military families and Medicaid, exclude coverage for such care and called on the Justice Department to vigorously pursue litigation and legislation to oppose the practice.
Young people who persistently identify as a gender that differs from their sex assigned at birth are first evaluated by a team of professionals. Some may try a social transition, involving changing a hairstyle or pronouns. Some may later also receive puberty blockers or hormones. Surgery is rare for minors.
Trump’s executive order also directed the Justice Department to prioritize investigating states that protect access to certain aspects of gender-affirming care and “facilitate stripping custody from parents” who oppose the treatments for their children. Some Democratic-controlled states have adopted laws that seek to protect doctors who provide gender-affirming care to patients who travel from states where it’s banned for minors.
In recent years, at least 26 states have adopted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. Most of those states face lawsuits.
