At least six hospitals stop providing care for transgender young people
Hospitals reach agreements with the Trump administration, which investigated them over possible breaches of federal healthcare laws.
_(53840386529).jpg){kind=link}
At least six major US hospital systems have reached agreements with the Trump administration under which they will stop providing certain gender-affirming treatments to minors. The agreements end investigations, but do not constitute a court finding that the hospitals broke the law.
The US Department of Justice announced that New York University Langone Hospitals and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will no longer offer puberty blockers, hormone treatments or surgical procedures to minors. NYU will pay $8.5 million and UPMC $950,000 as part of the agreements.
Earlier agreements were reached with Mount Sinai in New York, Texas Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic and Connecticut Children’s Hospital. The administration says it is investigating whether hospitals breached federal healthcare laws and rules concerning billing claims. In doing so, the department uses terminology of its own that medical institutions and other sources do not regard as a neutral description of this care.
The US Department of Justice emphasises that the allegations against NYU and UPMC are merely allegations and that no liability has been established. NYU denies guilt or liability. The hospital says the agreement primarily protects the privacy of patients and families and removes further legal pressure.
The consequences vary by hospital. NYU says the agreement does not affect paediatric mental healthcare or care for patients aged 18 and over. For transgender young people who need certain treatments, however, this may mean travelling to another state or institution, depending on the rules and availability of that care.
The issue is part of a broader American dispute over the role of the federal government, parents, doctors and states in medical decisions for minors. Major medical organisations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support keeping the care available, according to AP. The federal government, by contrast, says children must be protected from harmful interventions.
The agreements say nothing in themselves about the medical suitability of a treatment for an individual child. They do, however, change access to care in parts of the United States. For Dutch patients, this does not constitute direct treatment advice: the American legal and healthcare context differs from that in the Netherlands, and medical decisions belong with qualified healthcare providers and patients.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- At least six US hospital systems reached agreements with the federal government concerning care for transgender minors.
- The agreements end certain treatments and include financial payments.
- According to the DOJ, the federal allegations have not been proven by a court finding.
Left
Arguments The federal government should not intervene in individual medical decisions through financial and legal pressure. Access to care, privacy and the professional discretion of doctors and parents should be central.
Values Autonomy, equal access and the protection of minorities.
Consequences This approach fears that young people will lose access to care, families will have to travel and sensitive medical data will become part of a political struggle.
Centre
Arguments An institutional approach seeks careful assessment for each patient, independent medical guidelines and clear protection for minors. Both access and safety should be assessed, without legal pressure replacing medical decision-making.
Values Professional diligence, proportionality and the protection of children.
Consequences This may lead to stricter protocols and specialised centres, but also requires accessible alternatives for young people who need care.
Right
Arguments From this perspective, the federal government should prevent minors from making far-reaching decisions whose consequences may be long-lasting. Parents, regulators and the state may hold hospitals accountable for possible risks and incorrect billing claims.
Values Child protection, parental responsibility and oversight of healthcare spending.
Consequences According to this view, restrictions may reduce risks, but they may also lead to less freedom of choice and greater regional differences in care.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The legal agreements and financial amounts have been confirmed by primary government and hospital sources. The text distinguishes between established agreements, government allegations and broader medical viewpoints.
- confirmed NYU and UPMC reached agreements with the US Department of Justice. — Official department press release. source
- confirmed NYU will pay $8.5 million and UPMC $950,000. — The amounts are stated in the official press release. source
- confirmed The agreements concern puberty blockers, hormones and surgical procedures for minors. — Description in the DOJ press release. source
- confirmed The DOJ states that the allegations do not constitute established liability. — The press release calls the claims allegations only and says that liability has not been established. source
- confirmed NYU says that mental healthcare for children and care for adults will continue. — NYU Langone’s own statement. source
Editor's note
The agreements, amounts and hospitals involved have been confirmed by the US Department of Justice and AP. The legal allegations have not been proven; medical organisations differ politically and professionally in their views of the consequences.Sources
- DOJ Secures Agreements with NYU and UPMC to End Pediatric Gender-Affirming Care — U.S. Department of Justice
- NYU Langone Statement on Settlement with DOJ — NYU Langone Health
- What to know about hospital deals with the Trump administration to avoid treating transgender minors — Associated Press
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „gezondheid transgenderzorg”
- NU.nl — „gezondheid transgenderzorg”
- De Telegraaf — „gezondheid transgenderzorg”