U-M Health ends transgender treatment for minors

“In light of that investigation, and given escalating external threats and risks, we will no longer provide gender affirming hormonal therapies and puberty blocker medications for minors,” said a statement from Michigan Medicine released Monday.

“We recognize the gravity and impact of this decision for our patients and our community,” it continued. “We are working closely with all those impacted, and we will continuously support the well-being of our patients, their families, and our teams.”

Michigan Medicine was just one of more than 20 doctors and clinics that were subpoenaed by the Department of Justice in early July.

They were subpoenaed for their part in “performing transgender medical procedures on children,” according to the department.

“Medical professionals and organizations that mutilated children in the service of a warped ideology will be held accountable by this Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

On Michigan Medicine’s webpage which previously listed its transgender treatments, it posted more details about its decision to end those for all patients under the age of 19.

“In response to unprecedented legal and regulatory threats to our clinicians and our institution, we have made the difficult decision to stop prescribing puberty blockers and gender affirming hormones for patients under age 19,” it stated. “We will continue to care for our gender diverse patients, providing all appropriate care other than puberty blockers and gender affirming hormones. Care for patients age 19 and over is not affected by this change.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel pushed back against Michigan Medicine’s decision to end those transgender treatments, calling it “shameful, dangerous, and potentially illegal.”

In response to Michigan Medicine’s decision, Nessel’s office reissued an open letter to all Michigan health care providers.

The letter outlines that to refuse these health care services might be discrimination under Michigan law.

“This cowardly acquiescence to political pressure from this president and his administration is not what patients have come to expect from an institution that has labeled itself, ‘the leaders and the best,’ and my department will be considering all of our options if they violate Michigan law,” Nessel said. “UM has chosen instead to sacrifice the health, well-being, and likely the very lives of Michigan children, to protect itself from the ire of an administration who, oftentimes, engages in unlawful actions itself.”

Earlier this month, Nessel also joined a multi-state lawsuit seeking to protect transgender health care for minors.

Others have applauded this move and the Trump Administration’s push to end these treatments nationwide.

“Pressure from the Trump Administration is working,” said a statement from the American Principles Project, a conservative policy group that has been outspoken against transgender treatment for minors. “Thank you, POTUS.”