U.S. Hospitals Halt Gender Surgeries for Minors Amid Trump Executive Order

In a striking shift across the American healthcare landscape, several prominent hospitals are hitting the brakes on gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatments for minors. This comes hot on the heels of a bold executive order from President Donald Trump, issued on January 28, 2025, titled "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation." The directive explicitly bars federal support for what it describes as life-altering procedures for those under 19, including puberty blockers and sex hormone therapies.

Rush Medical Center in Chicago is among the latest to announce a pause on hormonal treatments for new patients under 18, while confirming they haven’t offered gender-related surgeries to minors since 2023. Similarly, institutions like Stanford Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian, NYU Langone, and Cleveland Clinic have either halted such procedures or revised their programs to exclude new underage patients, aligning with the federal stance. For those already in treatment, care continues, as does access for adults.

The administration’s hardline approach doesn’t stop at policy. The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pamela Bondi, has issued over 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics involved in these treatments for children, signaling a crackdown on what they call a "warped ideology." This legal muscle-flexing underscores the gravity of the debate surrounding youth gender care.

Beyond the policy and legal battles, there’s a deeper conversation about health risks. Studies have pointed to heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation among young people who undergo gender-affirming surgeries. Experts like Florida neurosurgeon Dr. Brett Osborn and psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert argue for exhaustive psychological support and counseling before any irreversible steps are taken. As Osborn puts it, "You don’t amputate a limb because of temporary pain." It’s a reminder that compassion must be paired with caution when navigating such profound decisions.

This unfolding story isn’t just about hospital policies or executive orders—it’s about the delicate balance between protecting vulnerable youth and respecting individual journeys. As the nation watches, the question remains: where do we draw the line between intervention and overreach?