UChicago Medicine to discontinue all gender-affirming pediatric care
The decision, announced Friday, leaves no room for ongoing transitional care, and an unknown number of patients in limbo.
'UChicago Medicine has reached the difficult decision that, in response to continued federal actions, it will discontinue all gender-affirming pediatric care effective immediately,' the hospital said in a statement. 'We understand that this news will have a significant impact on our patients.'
The announcement by UChicago Medicine, the esteemed century-old academic medical health system based at the University of Chicago, follows a similar decision by Rush University System for Health, which 'paused' hormonal care to new patients under the age of 18 beginning July 1. Rush is continuing to offer mental and behavioral support, but referring gender care patients that need additional treatment to other providers.
UChicago Medicine will no longer be on that shrinking list of hospitals providing gender-affirming pediatric care, which can include counseling, medications to delay puberty and surgery.
In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order ostensibly protecting children under 19 from 'chemical and surgical mutilation' that threatened to withhold federal research grants as well as Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement for institutions that provide such pediatric gender care services.
'We reached this conclusion in light of emerging federal actions, which would place at risk our ability to care for all Medicare or Medicaid patients,' UChicago Medicine said in its statement. 'These patients make up the majority of those we serve. As the largest Medicaid provider in Illinois, this step is necessary to ensure UChicago Medicine can continue serving our broader community and delivering on our mission.'
Federal pressure to end gender-affirming pediatric care has caused several Chicago-area hospitals to curtail such services.
In February, Lurie Children's Hospital paused gender-affirming surgeries for patients younger than 19, a policy which remains in place, the hospital said earlier this week.
Meanwhile, UI Health allegedly canceled an Illinois teenager's gender-affirming chest surgery, according to a February federal court filing. Reached earlier this week, UI Health would not say if it was still providing gender-affirming care to minors.
As for UChicago Medicine, all gender-affirming pediatric care ends Friday.
'Our focus right now is working with affected patients to discuss options going forward,' the hospital said in its statement.
rchannick@chicagotribune.com
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