San Diego, California, January 24, 2026
Rady Children’s Health, the largest pediatric healthcare system in California, has decided to halt gender-affirming medical services for minors effective February 6, 2026. This move comes amid federal scrutiny and potential funding repercussions from the Trump administration. While halting these services, the hospital vows to continue providing supportive care, including counseling and mental health resources, and emphasizes respect for all patients, including LGBTQ+ individuals. The decision has prompted concern among advocacy organizations regarding restricted access to essential health services for transgender youth.
San Diego, California – Rady Children’s Health Halts Gender-Affirming Care Amid Federal Pressure
Rady Children’s Health, California’s largest pediatric healthcare system, has announced the cessation of gender-affirming medical services for minors, effective February 6, 2026. This decision follows increased federal scrutiny and potential funding repercussions from the Trump administration.
Decision to Discontinue Services
The organization, which includes Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, and Rady Children’s in Riverside County, stated that halting these services was a difficult decision aimed at ensuring the continuation of care for all children and families across the communities they serve. Despite the cessation of gender-affirming procedures, the hospital emphasized that they will continue to provide supportive care, including counseling, mental health resources, and care coordination, while assisting families in connecting to ongoing resources. They also reaffirmed their dedication to respecting the dignity of all patients, including LGBTQ+ patients and transgender youth.
Federal Investigation and Policy Changes
Rady Children’s Health disclosed that they were recently referred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for investigation. While the federal agency did not comment on the specifics, the hospital’s decision follows the Trump administration’s executive order issued on January 28, 2025, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.” This order seeks to prevent gender-affirming care for individuals under 19 years old by withholding federal funding from providers offering such services. This directive has prompted similar actions from various healthcare institutions nationwide.
Reactions and Implications
The move has sparked significant concern among LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, who perceive it as an extension of broader efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming care. These organizations argue that such decisions mischaracterize legitimate medical treatment, which is backed by several major U.S. medical associations, and threaten access to vital services for young individuals in need. This situation also highlights the ongoing tension between federal policies and state laws, particularly in California, where existing state legislation seeks to guarantee care for transgender youth. The California Attorney General’s Office has issued warnings that withholding services from individuals based on gender identity may constitute discrimination under state law.
Background Context
Rady Children’s Health’s decision is part of a larger trend, as hospitals across the country are reevaluating their offerings of gender-affirming care for minors. In July 2025, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles closed its Center for Transyouth Health and Development, ending care for nearly 3,000 patients, citing financial pressures and compliance with federal policies. Similarly, Stanford Medicine halted gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under 19 in June 2025, further indicating a shift among healthcare providers in response to federal regulations.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Decision to Halt Services | Rady Children’s Health will cease gender-affirming medical services for minors, effective February 6, 2026, due to federal scrutiny and potential funding repercussions from the Trump administration. |
| Federal Investigation | The hospital was referred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for investigation, although the agency did not comment on the specifics. |
| Federal Executive Order | The decision aligns with the Trump administration’s executive order issued on January 28, 2025, which aims to prevent gender-affirming care for individuals under 19 years old by withholding federal funding from providers offering such services. |
| Reactions | LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have expressed concern, viewing the move as part of a broader effort to restrict access to gender-affirming care and misrepresent legitimate medical care supported by major U.S. medical associations. |
| Background | Rady Children’s Health’s decision follows similar actions by other hospitals, including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’s closure of its Center for Transyouth Health and Development in July 2025 and the halting of gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 by Stanford Medicine in June 2025, both actions prompted by federal policies. |
FAQ
Why has Rady Children’s Health decided to halt gender-affirming care for minors?
Rady Children’s Health stated that the decision was made to ensure the continuation of care for all children and families across the communities they serve, in light of increased federal scrutiny and potential funding repercussions from the Trump administration. They emphasized that they will continue to provide supportive care, including counseling, mental health resources, and care coordination.
What is the Trump administration’s executive order related to gender-affirming care?
The executive order, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” was issued on January 28, 2025. It seeks to prevent gender-affirming care for individuals under 19 years old by withholding federal funding from providers offering such services.
How have LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations responded to this decision?
LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have expressed concern, viewing the move as part of a broader effort to restrict access to gender-affirming care. They argue that such actions misrepresent legitimate medical care and erode access to essential services, raising questions about the balance between federal policies and state laws.
What other hospitals have taken similar actions?
Other hospitals have also reevaluated or discontinued gender-affirming care for minors in response to federal policies. This includes Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which closed its Center for Transyouth Health and Development in July 2025, and Stanford Medicine, which halted gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19.
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