A recent executive order by President Trump has prompted significant changes in the availability of gender-affirming care for minors across the United States, igniting concern among families and healthcare providers. The order, issued on January 28, 2025, restricts transgender health care for individuals under the age of 19, leading to immediate cancellations of appointments at various hospitals nationwide.
Kristen Chapman, a mother from Virginia, recounted the distressing experience of her transgender daughter, Willow. After relocating from Tennessee in search of a more supportive environment, they had been eagerly anticipating an appointment at the VCU Health gender-affirming care clinic, scheduled for January 29. Just hours before the appointment, the clinic informed them that they could no longer provide care due to the new executive order.
Chapman is now a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU and Lambda Legal against the Trump administration, challenging the executive order. The lawsuit aims to prevent the order from being enforced, as it has already led to numerous hospital cancellations, including those at prominent institutions like NYU Langone in New York City and Children’s National in Washington, D.C. Chapman expressed her heartbreak and fear, stating, "I thought Virginia would be a safe place for me and my daughter."
The executive order has sparked a legal battle, with ACLU counsel Joshua Block highlighting the conflict between the order and existing federal laws that prohibit discrimination against patients based on sex. He emphasized that while Congress has mandated non-discrimination, the executive order appears to counteract those protections.
In response to the order, 15 state attorneys general issued a warning to hospitals, reminding them that canceling appointments could violate state anti-discrimination laws. However, the American Hospital Association and the Children’s Hospital Association have yet to provide clear guidance on how hospitals should respond to the new directive, leaving many in a state of uncertainty.
The implications of the executive order are significant, as it threatens to affect funding streams from Medicare and Medicaid, which are crucial for many hospitals. This has caused a chilling effect on the provision of gender-affirming care, with protests erupting outside children’s hospitals in major cities like Seattle and Los Angeles following the cancellations.
While some hospital systems, such as Mass General Brigham in Boston, have continued to offer care, others have been forced to reassess their policies amidst the legal uncertainty. The situation highlights the broader national debate surrounding transgender rights and healthcare access, particularly for minors.
Supporters of the executive order, including conservative think tank leaders, view it as a victory for protecting children from what they term "sex trait modification procedures." They argue that while gender dysphoria exists, medical interventions like hormones and puberty blockers should not be administered to minors.
As the legal challenges unfold, the future of gender-affirming care for transgender youth remains uncertain. Experts suggest that the executive order may not have the authority to impose such restrictions without congressional backing, raising questions about its long-term viability. The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether state bans on gender-affirming care constitute sex discrimination, which could further influence the landscape of transgender healthcare in the U.S.
Families like Chapman’s are left waiting, caught in the crossfire of political and legal battles, as they seek essential care for their children.