Today, it was publicly announced that Children’s Minnesota plans to pause medical gender care services for youth patients starting in March. This is in response to a series of new rules and threats by the federal government that could disrupt all federally funded hospital services if this care is administered, putting our hospital systems at grave risk. 

Our hearts are with the families and patients who have learned this week that they will need to navigate to new care options—at least for now.

We understand that this is a complicated decision: Children’s Minnesota has long been the most targeted provider in the state of Minnesota. That targeting has included both formal actions by the federal government to pressure all hospitals; but in the case of Children’s in particular it has also included a relentless campaign by private actors who have targeted Children’s Minnesota for harassment and threats both digital and physical. These are abhorrent actions by ideologically motivated actors that are materially impacting the safety of doctors, staff, patients, and families. 

But none of that makes this any easier. Even a single pause in care is a painful interruption in a system that is besieged nationwide.

We want to make it extraordinarily clear: 

Gender-affirming care remains legal and protected in the state of Minnesota.

Nothing that is currently law or proposed in rulemaking changes that fact.

Actions by the federal government will continue to be challenged.

Providers should continue to provide this care unless a court clearly decides otherwise.

Our expectation is clear: A pause must be a pause. Should the state of Minnesota successfully challenge legal actions trying to curtail this care in March, we expect that Children’s Minnesota will restart care. 

And we want to make clear to other providers: We will continue to work vigorously to ensure our trans youth and adults can maintain access to the care they need. 

For all those wondering about the risk of losing care in this state—the greatest risk is to those under 18 receiving puberty blockers and hormones through a hospital care provider setting. We expect these services will remain available to those who rely on them, but anticipate that this may be a period where access is more challenging. We encourage families and individuals to take reasonable steps to ensure a backup supply of key medications and to make appointment plans and care decisions accordingly.

We will work with our state and communities to ensure that all those who continue to provide this care are safe and supported; and that our laws and protections are enforced.

Minnesota’s robust protections have ensured our state has stood longer than many facing these challenges; and that commitment will help see us through this period of challenge. 

Political attempts to ban best practice health care are not new. This latest political assault mirrors past efforts to carve off reproductive care from mainstream medicine. No matter the tactics, we know that our communities will continue to stand up for the rights to make choices about our bodies, lives, and futures.

This is going to be a complicated and difficult time for many. We are here to support you. And to do all we can to ensure Minnesotans can get the care they need.

To our trans youth: You are loved, you are beautiful, and we are going to fight for you—no matter what.

For those looking to take action, remember that you can submit public comment on these proposed rules directly through the Federal Register or provide comments that will be shared anonymously through our website. We will make every effort to blunt the impacts of these rules—and we remind Minnesotans that even if they are enacted—rules and orders are not permanent, and each of them can be rolled back as soon as this administration leaves office.

We will weather this, together.

Be safe, Minnesota.

In solidarity.