Two prominent healthcare institutions in Wisconsin have paused their provision of gender-affirming care to minors in response to new federal policy changes. Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health announced this suspension in early January 2026, halting the administration of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for patients under 18 years old. Both hospitals cited risks associated with federal regulations and shifts in policy from the Trump administration as the driving factors behind their decision.
The announcement follows recent actions taken by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in December 2025. According to reports from JSOnline, HHS proposed rules that would prevent Medicare and Medicaid funding from being allocated to hospitals that offer gender-affirming care to minors. Given that nearly all hospitals in the United States depend on federal funding from these programs, the proposed regulations could compel medical facilities to choose between providing these essential treatments and sustaining their financial viability.
“Under my leadership, and answering President Trump’s call to action, the federal government will do everything in its power to stop unsafe, irreversible practices that put our children at risk,” Kennedy stated when announcing the initiative.
In its statement, Children’s Wisconsin expressed its inability to provide gender-affirming pharmacologic care due to “escalating legal and federal regulatory risk” affecting healthcare providers nationwide. The health system emphasized its commitment to treating LGBTQ children with “support, respect, dignity, and compassion,” while continuing to offer mental health services.
Similarly, UW Health declared a pause on prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapies, attributing this decision to the recent federal developments. The institution reaffirmed its dedication to delivering “high-quality, compassionate” care to LGBTQ patients, as reported by WPR.
Implications of Proposed Federal Rules
The proposed federal rules are currently undergoing a 60-day public comment period after being published in the Federal Register. One rule aims to prohibit Medicaid and CHIP funds from covering gender-affirming care for minors, while another seeks to restrict Medicare and Medicaid funding to hospitals that provide such care.
Legal challenges are anticipated in response to these rulings. Attorneys general from 20 states, including Wisconsin, have already filed a lawsuit contesting Secretary Kennedy’s authority to enact these regulations.
Advocates for transgender youth are voicing their concerns regarding the potential consequences of these actions. Steve Starkey, executive director of the OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center in Madison, highlighted that the loss of access to these essential treatments could have adverse effects on the mental health of transgender youth. A study conducted in 2023 found that over 80 percent of transgender adults had contemplated suicide, with more than 40 percent having attempted it.
Gender-affirming care for minors remains legal in Wisconsin, provided that full parental consent is obtained. Major medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, endorse such care as evidence-based treatment, aligning with established professional standards, as reported by Wisconsin Watch.
The ongoing developments in these policies will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of healthcare for transgender minors in Wisconsin and beyond.
