Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has ceased performing gender-affirming surgeries on patients aged 19 and under, a decision that has drawn attention in light of ongoing changes in federal policy regarding transgender health care. According to Sara Hottman, a spokesperson for OHSU, the last surgery for a patient under 19 was conducted in February 2025, with the pause in scheduling surgeries taking effect in March 2025.
OHSU, recognized as one of the leading providers of transgender health services in the United States, has stated that it currently does not have the necessary surgical care team to support surgeries for this age group. Hottman emphasized in an email statement, “At this time, OHSU does not have the surgical care team available to provide gender-affirming surgeries to patients younger than 19.” This decision was first reported on March 15, 2025, by Willamette Week.
The suspension of surgeries is part of a broader national trend influenced by federal actions under the Trump administration, which has made moves to limit access to gender-affirming medical care for minors. In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that restricts federal funding for gender-affirming treatments, including puberty blockers and hormone therapies, in addition to surgical interventions for patients under 19. OHSU officials previously indicated that the executive order would not immediately impact patient care.
Despite the changes, Hottman reported that gender-affirming surgeries had already been rare among younger patients at OHSU, with fewer than 30 surgeries performed on individuals under 17 in the past two years. The specific number of procedures for patients aged 18 and 19 remains unclear.
OHSU’s Transgender Health Program continues to provide other gender-affirming medical services for patients under 19, including puberty-blocking medications and hormone therapy. These treatments are considered vital by many health advocates, as studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that transgender teens have a significantly higher risk of suicide attempts compared to their peers. Research published in 2020 suggests that adolescents receiving drug treatments to affirm their gender identity often experience improved mental health outcomes.
Opposition to gender-affirming care for minors comes from various groups who argue that young individuals lack the maturity to make such critical decisions regarding their health. This has led to increased calls for legislative restrictions on access to these services across the United States.
The federal government has threatened to withhold funding from healthcare facilities that continue to provide gender transition care for minors, leading to a chilling effect on hospitals nationwide. For example, last summer, Kaiser Permanente announced it would discontinue gender-affirming surgeries for minors starting in August 2025 at its facilities, which include hospitals and clinics in Oregon.
As the landscape of transgender health services continues to shift amid political and social debates, the pause at OHSU reflects both the challenges faced by healthcare providers and the complexities surrounding the care of transgender youth in America.
