Two prominent hospitals in Wisconsin have halted gender-affirming care for minors, responding to new federal policies that significantly affect such treatments. Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health announced the suspension of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for patients under 18 years old in early January 2026. The hospitals cited concerns regarding federal regulatory risks stemming from policy changes introduced during the administration of former President Donald Trump.
The decision follows proposals made by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in December 2025. The HHS suggested rules that would strip Medicare and Medicaid funding from hospitals offering gender-affirming care to minors. Given that virtually all hospitals in the United States depend on federal funding through these programs, the proposed regulations would force medical facilities to choose between providing these crucial treatments and their financial viability.
In a statement regarding the new guidelines, Kennedy emphasized the federal government’s intent to prevent what he described as “unsafe, irreversible practices that put our children at risk.” His assertion aligns with the broader political climate surrounding healthcare policies affecting transgender youth.
Children’s Wisconsin expressed that it is “currently unable to provide gender-affirming pharmacologic care” due to escalating legal and federal regulatory risks faced by healthcare providers nationwide. The institution reaffirmed its commitment to treating LGBTQ children with “support, respect, dignity and compassion,” while continuing to offer essential mental health services.
Similarly, UW Health announced it would pause the prescription of puberty blockers and hormone therapy “due to recent federal actions.” The hospital maintains its dedication to delivering “high-quality, compassionate” care to LGBTQ patients, according to reports from Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR).
The proposed federal regulations are currently in a 60-day public comment period, as they have been published in the Federal Register. One rule aims to prohibit Medicaid and CHIP funds from covering gender-affirming care for minors, while the other seeks to prevent hospitals that provide such care from receiving any Medicare or Medicaid funding.
Legal challenges are anticipated, with attorneys general from 20 states, including Wisconsin, filing a lawsuit against HHS Secretary Kennedy to contest his authority in issuing such a declaration. This legal push highlights the contentious nature of the policies and their potential implications.
Advocates for transgender youth have voiced serious concerns regarding the impact of these changes. Steve Starkey, executive director of the OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center in Madison, noted that losing access to gender-affirming treatments could adversely affect the mental health of transgender youth. A 2023 study highlighted the severity of the issue, revealing that over 80 percent of transgender adults have contemplated suicide, and more than 40 percent have attempted it.
In Wisconsin, gender-affirming care for minors remains legal, contingent upon obtaining full parental consent. Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, endorse such care as evidence-based treatment aligned with professional standards, according to information from Wisconsin Watch.
As the debate surrounding gender-affirming care continues, the decisions made by these hospitals reflect a growing tension between federal policies and the healthcare needs of transgender youth. The situation underscores the broader implications of such regulatory changes on both medical practices and the well-being of vulnerable populations.
