Children's Hospital LA Closes Gender-Affirming Care Center Amid Trump Administration Restrictions

Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) is closing its gender-affirming care center, citing federal guidance that restricts access to care for transgender youth. The hospital's thousands of trans patients under 21 are now left to find a new provider. Advocates protest the closure, saying gender-affirming care is protected by law and must be investigated. The hospital's financial reality is also a factor, with 65% of its funding coming from Medicaid.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has announced the closure of its gender-affirming care center, effective today. The decision follows federal guidance that restricts access to care for transgender youth, leaving thousands of patients under 21 without a provider. The hospital cited financial constraints, with 65% of its funding coming from Medicaid, as a primary factor in the closure [1].

The closure marks a significant turning point in the nationwide battle for transgender rights. Advocates, including the Los Angeles LGBT Center, have organized protests outside the hospital, decrying the shutdown as a violation of protected medical services. The center, one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the U.S., has been a vital resource for transgender youth seeking therapy, hormones, and surgeries [1].

The federal forces behind the closure can be traced back to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in January, which sought to restrict access to gender-affirming care. The administration called these treatments "chemical and surgical" hormones, a stance opposed by major medical associations and the majority of people who receive this care [1].

CHLA initially paused gender-affirming surgeries, hormones, and puberty blockers for new patients under 19 but resumed these services following public outcry. However, the hospital's leadership watched federal directives from various departments, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ultimately leading to the closure [1].

The hospital cited the uncertainty of securing funding from California amid a statewide budget crisis as a critical factor in the decision. CHLA's financial reality, with 65% of its funding coming from federal sources, has been exacerbated by the reduction in Medicaid funding under Trump's signature budget package [1].

Advocates and patients have expressed their dismay over the closure, with some calling it a betrayal of the youth they promised to serve. Weekly protests have been held outside the hospital in support of gender-affirming care for trans youth [1].

For CHLA's patients and their families, finding new doctors could prove difficult. Other providers in the state are also restricting their services to shield themselves from federal attention. For instance, Stanford Medicine paused gender-related surgeries on patients under 19 last month [1].

In a separate development, Puerto Rico's governor has signed a bill that prohibits hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth, drawing sharp criticism from activists. The law applies to those younger than 21 and calls for severe penalties for violators [2].

The situation highlights the complex interplay between federal funding, state laws, and healthcare access for transgender youth. As the battle for transgender rights continues, the impact of these closures and restrictions on the healthcare landscape remains to be seen.

References:
[1] https://laist.com/news/health/in-a-landmark-move-childrens-hospital-la-closes-its-gender-affirming-care-center-today
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/puerto-rico-bans-hormone-therapy-gender-surgery-transgender-youth-rcna219334