Equality California on Rady Children’s Hospital Decision to Halt Healthcare for Transgender Youth

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, strongly condemns the decision by Rady Children's Hospital to stop providing transition-related care for transgender and gender-diverse youth.

This decision comes amid recent federal actions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), including proposed regulations that would restrict access to health care for transgender young people by limiting the use of Medicaid and CHIP funds and threatening hospitals' participation in Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. issued a "declaration", which seeks to exclude transition-related care for minors from professionally recognized standards of health care. While these actions are deeply concerning, it is critical to be clear: none are in effect, none carry the force of law, and there is no legal basis for any health care institution in California to stop providing medically necessary care to transgender patients in response.

Equality California released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang in response:

"There is no legal justification for Rady Children's Hospital's decision to halt transition-related care for transgender youth. By caving to federal pressure instead of standing by their patients, Rady Children's Hospital is choosing fear over facts - and abandoning transgender youth and their families when they need care the most.

This decision is part of a broader pattern of institutions voluntarily retreating from care that remains lawful and lifesaving. Stopping care causes real and immediate harm, increases mental health risks, and throws families into crisis.

In California, transgender health care is not only legal - it is recognized as medically necessary and a fundamental right. Every major U.S. medical and mental health association affirm that transgender young people should have access to evidence-based, age-appropriate health care. We urge hospitals and clinics to remain focused on delivering high-quality care to their patients and not cave to political intimidation or threats from Donald Trump.

Equality California is calling on Rady Children's leadership to immediately reverse this decision and to resume providing comprehensive health care for transgender young people. Equality California will not stand by as health systems abandon our community to appease far-right extremists. We will continue fighting to ensure every transgender young person in California - no matter their zip code - can access the care they need and deserve."

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