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Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., has made an announcement that it will cease to offer gender transition-related medical treatments.
The hospital’s “Gender Development Program” webpage now includes a message for both existing and new patients, informing them of the upcoming change set to take effect on August 30.
“Due to the increasing legal and regulatory challenges faced by Children’s National, our providers, and the families we serve, we have decided to discontinue the prescription of gender-affirming medications,” the message states. “However, mental health and other support services for LGBT patients will continue to be available. Patients are encouraged to continue seeking care at Children’s National for their other medical needs.”
“We understand that this change will have a significant impact on affected patients, families, and staff. Our care teams are actively working with families of current patients to provide support during this transition,” the message continues, advising individuals with queries to reach out to the hospital directly.
This announcement follows the issuance of over 20 subpoenas by the Justice Department on July 9 to doctors and clinics involved in carrying out transgender medical procedures on children.
The Trump administration has stated that the DOJ investigations pertain to healthcare fraud, false statements, and other related matters.
“Medical professionals and institutions that have harmed children in the pursuit of a distorted ideology will be held accountable by the Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a statement released at that time.
It is not immediately clear whether Children’s National Hospital received a subpoena as part of this investigation.
In late January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled, “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” instructing federal agencies to cut off Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal funding from providers offering “gender-affirming care” to patients under 19 years of age. However, a federal judge issued a nationwide temporary restraining order in February, blocking the implementation of this order while litigation filed by LGBTQ advocacy groups is ongoing.
Following Trump’s order, several hospitals, including Children’s National, paused the provision of prescriptions, refills, and medications to minors. However, they later resumed offering transgender services after the court intervened.
Since the recent announcement that Children’s National will no longer provide gender-transition services to children starting August 30, impacted families have been informed that the hospital teams are available to assist them in moving forward. However, the hospital will no longer evaluate patients for medication or conduct monitoring through lab tests like blood work.
According to Trump’s executive order, there is a concern about medical professionals causing harm and sterilization to a growing number of vulnerable children under the false premise that adults can change a child’s sex through irreversible medical interventions. The order emphasizes the need to halt this dangerous trend that can lead to lifelong physical and emotional complications.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report in May highlighting the risks and lack of sufficient research regarding gender transition treatments for minors. The report recommends a shift towards exploratory therapy instead of irreversible medical interventions like surgery and hormone therapy.
This report also mentions the indefinite ban on puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria in the United Kingdom and the closure of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a major provider of gender-affirming care for children and teens in the U.S., due to pressure from the Trump administration.
