In the eventful first weeks of the second Trump administration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to no longer provide transgender individuals under the age of 19 with access to gender-affirming medical treatments.
“Countless children soon regret that they have been mutilated and begin to grasp the horrifying tragedy that they will never be able to conceive children of their own or nurture their children through breastfeeding.” The White House’s order stated. “Moreover, these vulnerable youths’ medical bills may rise throughout their lifetimes…”
Gender-affirming treatments include puberty suppressants, hormone therapies, gender realignment surgeries, and psychological care. Hospitals around the country, including Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (“Children’s”), have had to adapt to the executive order quickly. Children’s had diverged their care away from inclusivity and adaption to newfound perspectives to more traditional care that revokes access to gender-affirming care.
After adapting to the executive order, Children’s canceled at least one appointment for gender-affirming care. However, Children’s has partially reversed course and will continue offering gender-affirming care to current patients, including minors at its Gender Health Clinic.
The only matter left unclear in the reinstatement of care is whether Children’s will offer appointments to new patients. The hospital has yet to make a statement.
Sarah Moskonas, a parent of a patient directly impacted by Children’s recent care changes, made the following statement: “I’m grateful that Children’s Wisconsin has reversed course on this issue…I hope that they continue to stand up for science and healthcare by extending this reversal to cover all kids in need of gender-affirming, lifesaving care.”
State Representative Ryan Clancy played a key role in pressuring Children’s to reconsider its decision. Following the hospital’s initial compliance with the executive order, Clancy publicly criticized the move on social media:
After the hospital’s decision reversal, Clancy expressed both relief and disappointment. “It’s a relief that Children’s Wisconsin responded to public pressure and will continue providing gender-affirming care to some patients,” he told the media. “But it’s disappointing that a beloved institution rushed to obey Trump’s cruel, anti-trans, anti-science order in the first place.”
According to the American Medical Association, gender-affirming care has been approved by every major medical association.