Children’s Hospital Colorado halts child sex-change procedures

Children’s Hospital Colorado has stopped so-called gender transition procedures for those under 18, citing a new federal investigation that threatens the hospital’s access to taxpayer-funded programs.

The Aurora-based hospital confirmed it has stopped writing new prescriptions and renewing existing ones for sex-change drugs for minors. The decision doesn’t apply to adults.

The hospital also isn’t performing sex-change surgeries on minors, the Colorado Sun reports.

The pause follows a referral from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to its Office of the Inspector General, which put the hospital under federal investigation. The referral came after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued a declaration stating sex-change treatments for minors “are neither safe nor effective as a treatment modality for gender dysphoria, gender incongruence, or other related disorders in minors.”

Children’s Hospital Colorado acknowledged the suspension was driven by the financial risk created by the federal action. About half of the hospital’s patients are Medicaid recipients. Losing access to Medicaid and Medicare funding would cost the hospital hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

In a message sent to families connected to its TRUE Center for Gender Diversity – which boasts that it is “Dedicated to providing behavioral health and supportive care to gender-diverse children, adolescents and their families” – the hospital framed the decision as a response to federal policy.

“We recognize the anxiety and grief that this continued uncertainty around access to gender affirming care creates for those who have shown unwavering dedication and commitment to supporting children in embracing their true selves,” the hospital writes.

“We continue to believe that all families, including the families of transgender children, should have the ability to seek and receive the expert medical care their child needs to thrive.”

Denver Health, another major Colorado provider, also suspended sex-change treatments for minors.

“These changes, which are made necessary by the actions of HHS, substantially affect access to critical health services,” Denver Health said.

HHS officials have indicated the investigation could extend beyond Colorado. At least one other hospital has been referred, and federal leaders have suggested more could follow.

“Sadly, it may not be the last referral,” Mike Stuart, top attorney for HHS, posted on X. “@HHSOGC will always take every possible action to ensure children all across the nation are safe and protected.”

Colorado has joined other states in suing to block Kennedy’s declaration. New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading the lawsuit.

Children’s Hospital Colorado said the suspension will remain while courts consider the issue and federal policy remains unsettled.