Growing Concerns Over Gender-Affirming Care for Minors in the US
A significant number of hospitals across the United States are discontinuing gender-affirming care for minors, raising alarm among families and health advocates. This trend, influenced by recent political and legal pressures, is leaving many youth and their families in crisis. Notably, Atrium Health has stopped providing services to patients under 19, prompting urgent concerns about access to necessary care. Meanwhile, Kaiser Permanente is facing union pressure to resume surgeries for transgender youth, as the health community grapples with the implications of these changes. In a national atmosphere marked by litigation and executive orders, states are responding with lawsuits against federal restrictions, asserting support for transgender youth. Advocates warn that these cuts represent a dangerous shift in healthcare, potentially leading to adverse outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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