News Summary
Michigan Medicine has suspended gender-affirming care for patients under 19 due to a federal investigation, alarming parents and advocacy groups. Critics say this move reflects growing political pressures, risking the health of transgender youth. The ACLU expresses concerns over potential discrimination, while calls for accountability arise from state officials. Despite the halt, Michigan Medicine plans to connect patients with alternative care providers.
Ann Arbor, Michigan – Michigan Medicine, part of the University of Michigan, has officially halted the provision of gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and puberty blockers, for patients under the age of 19. This decision, confirmed by a spokeswoman on August 25, comes in the wake of a federal subpoena linked to a criminal and civil investigation into gender-affirming care for minors.
In light of this investigation, and the rising external threats and risks to its operations, Michigan Medicine has made the decision to cease these treatments for minors. This abrupt halt has left parents of affected transgender children deeply alarmed. Concern has been voiced by a mother of a 14-year-old transgender girl, who fears that interrupted medical therapy could adversely impact her daughter’s mental health.
The U.S. Department of Justice has previously issued more than 20 subpoenas to hospitals and healthcare providers offering gender-affirming care to minors. While the particular details concerning the subpoenas received by Michigan Medicine are not fully disclosed, the implications of this investigation are significant.
Advocacy organizations have denounced Michigan Medicine’s decision, with claims that it reflects growing pressure from the Trump administration aimed at restricting access to gender-affirming care. Erin Knott, the executive director of Equality Michigan, suggested that such pressure jeopardizes the safety of transgender healthcare providers and the families reliant on their services.
The ACLU of Michigan has noted potential consequences of Michigan Medicine’s decision, which may lead to issues surrounding malpractice or civil rights violations. Despite the halt in gender-affirming treatments, Michigan Medicine has indicated it will continue to provide social work consultations and assist in connecting patients with alternative care providers.
The decision has drawn criticism from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who termed it as “cowardly” and has called for accountability concerning potential discrimination against transgender individuals as mandated by Michigan law.
It is important to note that while gender-affirming care remains legal in Michigan, limitations based on the ongoing investigation could prompt legal challenges, especially if treatments are available to cisgender minors but not to transgender minors. Research has shown that access to gender-affirming care plays a significant role in reducing risks of depression and suicidal ideation in transgender youth.
The backdrop to this situation includes a previous order from the Trump administration that threatened to revoke federal funding from hospitals providing gender-affirming treatments to minors. Moreover, this decision comes shortly after Corewell Health paused gender-affirming care before eventually reversing that decision.
According to the CDC, approximately 3% of high school students identified as transgender in 2023. Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have voiced their support for gender-affirming care for adolescents.
In response to Michigan Medicine’s recent decision, various organizations, including Stand With Trans, are actively working to compile lists of private practitioners willing to provide treatment to transgender minors.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Detroit Free Press: Dana Nessel on Michigan Medicine’s Decision
- Wikipedia: Transgender Healthcare
- Michigan Advance: UM Health Ends Gender-Affirming Care
- Google Search: Gender Affirming Care Michigan
- MLive: Protesters Confront Michigan Medicine
- Google Scholar: Gender Affirming Care
- CBS News: Corewell Health and Gender Affirming Care
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Healthcare for Transgender Individuals
- Pride Source: UM Pauses Gender Affirming Care
- Google News: Transgender Health Care 2025
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
