Two prominent hospitals in Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health, have halted gender-affirming care for minors as a response to recent federal policy changes. This decision, announced in early January 2026, involves the suspension of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for patients under the age of 18.
Both health systems cited increasing regulatory risks and changes in federal policy prompted by the Trump administration as key factors in their decision. This pause follows announcements made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in December 2025, where proposed rules indicated that hospitals providing gender-affirming care to minors could lose Medicare and Medicaid funding. Given that most hospitals in the United States rely heavily on federal funding through these programs, the potential loss of financial support compelled many institutions to reconsider their treatment offerings.
In a statement regarding the policy changes, Kennedy asserted, “Under my leadership, and answering President Trump’s call to action, the federal government will do everything in its power to stop unsafe, irreversible practices that put our children at risk.”
Children’s Wisconsin emphasized that it is “currently unable to provide gender-affirming pharmacologic care” due to “escalating legal and federal regulatory risk” affecting health providers nationwide. The hospital affirmed its commitment to treating LGBTQ children with “support, respect, dignity and compassion” and will continue to offer mental health services.
Similarly, UW Health stated that it is pausing the prescription of puberty blockers and hormone therapy “due to recent federal actions,” while reaffirming its dedication to providing “high-quality, compassionate” care to LGBTQ patients, as reported by Wisconsin Public Radio.
The proposed federal rules are currently undergoing a 60-day public comment period after being published in the Federal Register. One rule aims to prohibit Medicaid and CHIP funds from covering gender-affirming care for minors, while another would restrict hospitals providing such care from receiving any Medicare or Medicaid funding.
Legal challenges are anticipated, with attorneys general from 20 states—including Wisconsin—preparing to file a lawsuit contesting Secretary Kennedy’s authority to implement these changes.
Advocates for transgender rights have raised alarms regarding the potential impact on youth access to essential healthcare. Steve Starkey, executive director of the OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center in Madison, expressed concern that the loss of access to these treatments could adversely affect mental health outcomes for transgender youth. A 2023 study revealed that over 80 percent of transgender adults have contemplated suicide, with more than 40 percent having made attempts.
It is important to note that gender-affirming care for minors remains legal in Wisconsin, contingent upon full parental consent. Leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, endorse such care as evidence-based treatment aligned with professional standards, according to Wisconsin Watch.
As this situation continues to unfold, the implications for healthcare access and the wellbeing of transgender youth remain critical focal points in the ongoing national conversation surrounding gender-affirming treatments.
