Several hospitals have announced a suspension on transgender surgeries for minors following President Donald Trump’s executive order halting the practice.
Hospitals in Colorado, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., have paused the procedures.
Denver Health said it will no longer offer gender transition surgeries to those under the age of 19.
“We are working to understand and comply with the full implications of the broadly worded order. Guidance on changes to medical care is being handled privately so that we can best support our patients and their families,” the health system stated. “The executive order, which was issued on January 28, 2025, includes criminal and financial consequences for those who do not comply, including placing participation in federal programs including Medicare, Medicaid and other programs administered by HHS at risk. These programs represent a significant portion of Denver Health’s funding, and the executive order specifically states that should we not comply, our participation in these programs is at risk. The loss of this funding would critically impair our ability to provide care for the Denver community.”
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU suspended the “gender-affirming” surgeries. “VCU Health and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU have suspended gender-affirming medication and gender-affirming surgical procedures for those under 19 years old in response to clear guidance from the state provided to VCU,” a statement read. “We are committed to ensuring that we’re always delivering care in accordance with the law. Appointments will be maintained to discuss specific care options for patients in compliance with the most recent guidance.”
Children’s National Hospital in D.C. similarly announced that it paused “all puberty blockers and hormone therapy prescriptions for transgender youth patients.”
Trump’s executive order declared that the United States “will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.”
