CHICAGO – On Friday, UChicago Medicine abruptly announced that they would cease providing gender affirming care to patients under the age of 19 years old, even though that care is lawful in the State of Illinois. The message from UChicago Medicine made clear that the action was taken in response to pressure from the Trump Administration, threatening to cut off critical funds to the facility if they continue to provide this lawful health care. This action continues a recent trend of health care providers in Illinois and around the country pausing care for transgender youth under threat from the White House.
The following can be attributed to Edwin C. Yohnka, director of Communications and Public Policy at the ACLU of Illinois:
Donald Trump’s bullying tactics targeting transgender youth is harming families in Illinois — where gender affirming health care is lawful and protected. The Administration has intimidated the UChicago Medicine into ending critical health care for patients under the age of 19 with no notice. This action is being taken by UChicago Medicine even as courts have blocked enforcement of the Trump Administration’s unlawful executive order that sought to remove federal funding of such care. We hope that UChicago reconsiders this decision and works conscientiously with patients and families to ensure that their care is not interrupted.
Gender affirming health care is life-saving medical care. Full stop. And, it is legal in Illinois. We will continue to fight for the ability of families and young people in Illinois to have access to the health care they need.