Amid growing threats from the federal government under President Donald Trump, the University of Chicago Medicine has become the latest major hospital system to halt treatment for trans youth by pausing all gender-affirming care for patients under the age of 18.
New and current minor patients who were receiving gender-affirming treatments like hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and transition-related counseling through UChicago Medicine’s Comer Children’s Hospital are impacted by the decision, which was quietly implemented this month. The suspension creates a significant care gap for young trans patients in Illinois and beyond, even though adult services at the University’s Gender and Sex Development Program are unaffected.
The action comes in response to mounting political and legal pressure brought on by a recent federal order that targets hospitals that offer minors gender-affirming care. Numerous reports state that under new Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, healthcare providers nationwide, especially those at public or academic medical centers, have been subject to scrutiny, funding cut threats, and possible legal action.
The leadership of UChicago Medicine stated in an internal communication that was obtained by the student-run newspaper The Chicago Maroon that they needed to “evaluate our legal and regulatory exposure” and make sure that they were in compliance with “rapidly evolving” federal policies. At the time of publication, the hospital system had not, however, released a public statement.
Despite major medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society, continuing to support gender-affirming care as evidence-based and essential, this care pause is part of a growing trend of institutions suspending services for minors out of fear of federal retaliation.
Healthcare professionals and LGBTQ+ advocates are extremely concerned about the decision’s ramifications, especially for trans youth in the Midwest. In the past, UChicago Medicine was a significant referral hub for families in the area, many of whom traveled great distances to receive specialized and affirming care.
Nearly half of U.S. states have either enacted or proposed legislation restricting gender-affirming care for minors, according to data from the Movement Advancement Project. With its supportive infrastructure and legal protections for trans people and families, Illinois has continued to be a vital safe haven. Advocates caution that policy uncertainty and institutional fear are already limiting access to care, even in blue states.
Now, some families are stuck in a state of uncertainty, unable to continue their treatment plans or get prescription refills. In an increasingly constrained landscape, others are frantically searching for substitute providers.
Medical staff were reportedly told to stop starting or continuing any gender-affirming treatment for minors as of mid-July, though the University of Chicago has not confirmed how long the pause will last. Numerous impacted patients have stated that they were informed by their care teams, frequently with little to no prior notice.
With political decisions increasingly dictating medical policy, this development represents a sobering shift in the overall national climate. The effects are immediate and intensely personal for trans youth and their families, eroding psychological safety, continuity of care, and faith in a once lifeline healthcare system.
Transgender advocates are calling on institutions to honor their medical and ethical obligations and to prioritize the needs and voices of trans youth in decisions that impact their lives as the policy landscape continues to shift.
