California Attorney General Rob Bonta has initiated legal action against Rady Children’s Health, the parent organization of Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), following its decision to halt certain gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth. This lawsuit, filed on January 24, 2026, arises from CHOC’s announcement to discontinue hormone treatments for patients under the age of 19, effective February 6, 2026.
Bonta asserts that Rady Children’s Health violated a merger agreement made in 2024, which guaranteed the continuation of gender-affirming care for youth. According to Bonta, “Rady flagrantly disregarded its legal obligations by unilaterally deciding to preemptively comply with the Administration’s demands and cease medically necessary care for roughly 1,450 patients.”
The hospital system indicated that it would still provide hormone replacement therapy for patients aged 19 and older but would cease treatment for those under 19, including those already receiving care. In response to the backlash, Bonta is seeking a permanent injunction to require Rady to restore all gender-affirming care services to the levels available at the time of the merger.
Legal Action and Community Response
The lawsuit highlights significant concerns regarding the health impacts of interrupting hormone treatments for transgender youth. Medical professionals have echoed Bonta’s comments, emphasizing that even brief disruptions in care can adversely affect a patient’s mental health and overall well-being.
The abrupt decision to terminate these treatments has left many families in distress. One father, whose son is a patient at Rady Children’s Health, reported learning of the changes through a notification in a healthcare app rather than direct communication from the hospital. He expressed frustration over the lack of clear guidance and support for affected families.
In a statement, Rady Children’s Health acknowledged the lawsuit and indicated it was reviewing the legal filing. The organization did not specify whether it would proceed with the announced restrictions. It cited recent federal actions as influencing its decision, which included proposed rules that may limit gender-affirming care for minors.
Ongoing Advocacy and Future Implications
Advocacy groups have rallied against the hospital’s decision, with demonstrations taking place outside CHOC. Kathie Moehlig, founder of TransFamily Support Services, emphasized the importance of the legal challenge, stating, “Somebody’s standing up for our families.” Moehlig noted a pattern of actions taken by Rady Children’s Health to limit access to gender-affirming care, which had not been adequately communicated to the Attorney General’s office.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit marks a pivotal moment in California’s efforts to safeguard gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Previously, Bonta had opted to issue warnings to hospitals without pursuing direct legal actions. The ongoing legal debates surrounding gender-affirming care, particularly in light of recent federal policies, remain unresolved, with multiple lawsuits anticipated as advocates challenge the legality of restricting access to these essential health services.
As the situation develops, the outcome of Bonta’s lawsuit could significantly influence the landscape of transgender healthcare in California and potentially set a precedent for similar cases across the nation.
