Two prominent hospitals in Wisconsin have ceased the provision of gender-affirming care for minors due to recent federal policy changes. Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health announced this suspension in early January 2026, halting treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for patients under the age of 18. The decision comes in response to regulatory risks tied to new directives from the federal government under the Trump administration.
This pause follows announcements made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in December 2025. Proposed rules suggested by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aim to restrict Medicare and Medicaid funding for hospitals that offer gender-affirming treatments to minors. Given that most hospitals in the United States depend significantly on federal funding from these programs, the proposed rules present a challenging dilemma: continue providing these services or risk losing vital financial support.
In his statement regarding the proposal, Kennedy asserted, “Under my leadership, and answering President Trump’s call to action, the federal government will do everything in its power to stop unsafe, irreversible practices that put our children at risk.”
Both hospitals have expressed their commitment to treating LGBTQ youth with “support, respect, dignity and compassion.” Children’s Wisconsin indicated that it is “currently unable to provide gender-affirming pharmacologic care” due to “escalating legal and federal regulatory risk” faced by healthcare providers nationwide. UW Health confirmed that it is pausing the prescription of puberty blockers and hormone therapy as a direct consequence of these recent federal actions, while still aiming to deliver “high-quality, compassionate” care to LGBTQ patients.
Implications of Proposed Rules
The two proposed federal rules are currently undergoing a 60-day public comment period after being officially published in the Federal Register. One rule seeks to prohibit Medicaid and CHIP funds from covering gender-affirming care for minors, while another rule would disallow any Medicare or Medicaid funding for hospitals offering such treatments. Legal challenges against these proposals are anticipated, with attorneys general from 20 states, including Wisconsin, already filing lawsuits to contest the authority of HHS Secretary Kennedy in issuing these declarations.
Concerns have surfaced regarding the potential impact of these changes on transgender youth. Advocates warn that limiting access to gender-affirming care could lead to detrimental mental health outcomes. Steve Starkey, executive director of the OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center in Madison, emphasized that denying these treatments may adversely affect the mental well-being of transgender youth. A study conducted in 2023 revealed that over 80 percent of transgender adults have contemplated suicide, with more than 40 percent having attempted it.
Legal Status and Expert Opinions
Despite the current pause, gender-affirming care for minors remains legal in Wisconsin, contingent upon full parental consent. Major medical associations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, endorse this care as evidence-based treatment aligned with professional standards, according to reporting by Wisconsin Watch.
As the situation evolves, the healthcare community and advocates for LGBTQ rights continue to monitor the implications of federal policies on the health and well-being of transgender minors in Wisconsin. The ongoing discourse highlights the critical balance between regulatory measures and the need for accessible healthcare for vulnerable populations.
