Rush University Medical Center halts gender-affirming care for minors

In Chicago, Illinois, Rush University Medical Center announced a decision to pause gender-affirming care for new patients under the age of 18. This announcement was made by a spokesperson on July 18, 2025. The hospital's action is not a result of state restrictions, as Illinois has not moved to limit access to gender-affirming care for minors. Rush has clarified that the decision was made collaboratively with clinical leaders and is in conjunction with their continuing commitment to provide supportive services like mental health and behavioral health care to gender care patients of all ages. They also confirmed that patients over 18 would still have access to hormonal and surgical care. Furthermore, the hospital has a system in place to refer those minors to other facilities that offer the required services. This pause comes amid a broader nationwide trend where several states are tightening regulations surrounding gender-affirming care for youth. While Illinois has remained free of such restrictions, other states, such as Tennessee, have implemented laws that could limit these types of medical interventions. The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a Tennessee law, with the ruling reflecting divided opinions based on party lines. This climate of tension regarding gender-related health care rights raises concerns about the future of medical care for transgender minors in various states. The context of this decision at Rush includes a backdrop of national politics as well. In recent years, former President Donald Trump issued executive orders labeled as standing against what he described as 'gender ideology,’ advocating for a binary understanding of sex and threatening to withdraw federal funding from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to patients under 18. However, the spokesperson from Rush did not mention Trump's executive orders when commenting on their recent policy change. Additionally, Puerto Rico's governor has signed legislation prohibiting hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries for minors, highlighting a growing trend of restricted access to transgender-friendly health care in various territories, including conservative regions. The law presents stringent penalties for violators, emphasizing the perceived vulnerability of minors in making decisions about their gender identity. LGBTQ+ organizations criticized this law, citing it as an attack on the rights and welfare of transgender youth and indicating a willingness to legally challenge its constitutionality. Together, these developments in Illinois and Puerto Rico reflect a significant and contentious landscape surrounding gender-affirming care for minors in the United States and its territories.