Many hospitals that cut off youth from gender-affirming care, under Trump administration pressure, are not confirming whether services will resume, even after a federal court cleared the way. Last December, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving under Donald Trump, directed hospitals nationwide to halt gender-affirming care for minors or risk losing federal funding, including Medicaid. On April 18, a federal judge in Oregon struck down the directive, ruling it exceeded federal authority and conflicted with existing law.
Still, several hospitals preemptively discontinued care for trans youth—and many have yet to signal a return. The Advocate contacted multiple health systems, including University of Michigan Health, Fenway Health, NYU Langone, and Children’s National Hospital, about their plans in response to the ruling. Most have not publicly committed to restoring services. The court decision confirms hospitals cannot lose federal funding for providing care—but it does not require them to restart programs. Some states, like New York, may have laws mandating hospitals to provide access to gender-affirming care, but many do not.
