UW Health, Children’s Wisconsin pausing gender-affirming care for patients under 18 | Health
Trans advocates, lawmakers react to pause on care
MADISON (WKOW) — UW Health said it is pausing some gender-affirming care due to recent actions taken by the federal government.
Children’s Wisconsin also said it is currently unable to provide gender-affirming pharmacologic care.
The Trump administration announced last month its intention to stop gender-affirming care for minors. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to cut off federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals that provide such care to children.
UW Health released the following statement on Tuesday to 27 News regarding the pause.
“UW Health is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate and patient-centered care to our patients and families, including LGBTQ+ patients. Due to recent federal actions, UW Health is pausing prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy as part of gender affirming care for patients under 18 years of age. We recognize the uncertainty faced by our impacted patients and families seeking this gender-affirming care and will continue to support their health and well-being.”
Children’s Wisconsin released the following statement to 27 News.
“At Children’s Wisconsin, we strongly believe everyone, including LGBTQ+ kids, should be treated with the support, respect, dignity and compassion they deserve. We are communicating to patients that due to escalating legal and federal regulatory risk facing systems and providers across the nation, we are currently unable to provide gender affirming pharmacologic care. Mental and behavioral health services will continue for patients and families who wish to receive this care from us.”
State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) voiced her opposition to UW Health’s decision.
“This decision to end gender-affirming care for minors in Wisconsin is dangerous and wrong,” Hong posted Monday on social media. “It violates our state’s values of fairness, compassion, and looking out for one another, and it places real harm on families who are already navigating complex medical needs. Parents must be trusted to make informed decisions for their children in partnership with qualified health care providers without political interference.”
Hong, a candidate for Wisconsin governor, added, “Gender-affirming care is supported by leading medical experts and saves lives. It is healthcare. Removing access increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide for transgender and nonbinary youth who already face disproportionate mental health challenges. These are not abstract policy debates. These are real kids, real families, and real consequences.”
Hong said she wants medical institutions to reconsider.
Abigail Swetz is the executive director of Fair Wisconsin — an advocacy group for transgender individuals. Swetz also condemned the decision.
“It’s an awful decision. I think it’s the wrong decision. It’s a decision that is putting patients and families and frankly, even their own providers, in a really, really tough place,” said Swetz.
Meanwhile, Fitchburg Family Pharmacy posted that it will continue prescribing and dispensing puberty blockers and other hormone therapies.
“Our commitment to our patients does not change when the landscape does,” the pharmacy said on Facebook.
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), who is also running for governor, condemned the pharmacy’s decision, writing on X, “Those who put children at risk of permanent harm must be held accountable.”
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) shared a similar sentiment.
“Children should not be mutilated in the way that they have been. It’s not gender-affirming care. It’s truly gender mutilation,” Vos said.
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