Minneapolis-based Children’s Minnesota has resumed all services in its Gender Health program after a temporary pause that began Feb. 27, according to a health system statement shared with Becker’s.
The decision follows a March court ruling that vacated a federal declaration attempting to restrict gender-affirming care, the system told Becker’s. Children’s Minnesota confirmed it has resumed prescribing puberty-suppressing medications and hormone therapy for minors.
The health system said patients currently receiving care, as well as those on the waitlist, will continue to receive services unless notified otherwise by their care team. Children’s Minnesota is the only system in Minnesota providing care exclusively to children.
Less than 5% of active Gender Health patients were directly affected by the pause, and the system told Becker’s it has begun contacting affected families.
The Gender Health program provides evidence-based medical and mental healthcare for transgender and gender-diverse youths, including care from pediatric gender health, endocrinology and adolescent health physicians. The system said it does not perform gender-affirming surgeries.
The program operates amid a rapidly evolving legal and policy landscape for gender-affirming care.
Hospitals nationwide continue to face overlapping federal investigations, proposed payment restrictions and ongoing legal challenges tied to gender-affirming care for minors. More than 20 hospitals have paused or scaled back services, and 27 states have enacted bans on such care for minors. In Minnesota, however, gender-affirming care remains legal.
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