Children’s Minnesota To Pause Puberty Blockers And Hormones For Minors

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Children’s Minnesota, the state’s largest pediatric health system, said it plans to temporarily pause prescribing puberty-suppressing medications and "gender-affirming hormones" for patients under 18, citing what it described as increased federal actions affecting hospitals that provide this care.

The health system said the pause would take effect Feb. 27 if conditions remain unchanged.

The decision applies to puberty blockers and pubertal hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, within its "Gender Health" program.

"As one of the leading pediatric providers of gender-affirming care in the region, we have recently experienced an increase in federal actions directed at health systems like ours that provide this care," the statement said. "These actions jeopardize the stability of Minnesota’s only comprehensive pediatric health care system, and they threaten our clinicians’ ability to practice medicine now and in the future."

The move follows a series of federal actions taken during President Donald Trump’s second term. On his first day back in office about a year ago, Trump signed an executive order declaring that the federal government would recognize only two sexes, female and male.

He later signed an executive order aimed at restricting access to transgender surgeries and hormones for people under 19.

Children’s Minnesota said its Gender Health program itself will remain open. “Our Gender Health program is not closed,” the statement said, adding that mental health services and guidance on medical and non-medical treatment options will continue. "Please keep your appointment to discuss any needed adjustments to your care plan."