Lurie Children's Stops Gender Meds for New Patients Under 18

Lurie Children’s Hospital has stopped prescribing gender-affirming medications to new patients under 18, days after the Trump administration threatened a federal investigation of the Streeterville medical center.

A hospital spokesperson confirmed this week that the 225 E. Chicago Ave. facility paused those treatments following threats from Mike Stuart, general counsel for Health and Human Services, who announced Jan. 15 on social media he was referring Lurie and five other hospitals nationwide for federal investigation.

The move marks a dramatic shift for Chicago’s premier pediatric hospital, which has provided gender-affirming care for years. The decision affects only new patients under 18 who haven’t previously received gender-affirming medications at Lurie.

“As we await federal court rulings and assess the rapidly evolving legal environment, at this time, Lurie Children’s will not initiate gender-affirming medications for patients under age 18,” a hospital spokesperson said in a statement.

The hospital’s decision comes amid an escalating federal crackdown on transgender healthcare since President Donald Trump returned to office. In January 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order characterizing gender-affirming care as “chemical and surgical mutilation” and threatened to cut federal grants to providers offering such services to minors.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who oversees the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced measures in December that would block federal funding for hospitals providing gender-affirming care, though those restrictions aren’t yet active.

Lurie Children’s relies heavily on federal funding for operations, research and patient care programs. The hospital received more than $40 million in federal grants in 2024, according to public records.

The federal pressure campaign represents the latest challenge for Chicago’s healthcare institutions, which have faced increasing scrutiny over various policies. City Council members have grappled with youth-related issues this year, including debates over Council Youth Curfew Vote Delayed After Last-Minute Deal that highlighted tensions around policies affecting young people.

Gender-affirming care typically includes hormone therapy, puberty blockers and counseling services. Medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society have endorsed such treatments as medically necessary for transgender youth when appropriate.

Lurie’s pause affects new patients seeking to start treatment but doesn’t impact current patients already receiving gender-affirming medications at the hospital. Those patients will continue their existing treatment plans, according to the spokesperson.

The hospital’s decision puts it in line with several other major pediatric medical centers nationwide that have suspended or limited gender-affirming care programs under federal pressure. Facilities in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee have made similar moves since the administration’s threats began.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office declined to comment on Lurie’s decision, referring questions to the hospital. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration also hasn’t issued a public response to the federal investigation threat.

The state has positioned itself as a sanctuary for transgender healthcare, with Pritzker signing legislation in 2023 protecting healthcare providers who treat transgender patients from out-of-state prosecution. That law doesn’t address federal funding restrictions.

Local advocacy groups condemned Lurie’s decision. “This abandons vulnerable young people who need medical care,” said one activist who requested anonymity due to safety concerns.

The hospital emphasized its decision was temporary and tied to legal uncertainty. “We remain committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to all patients while navigating this complex legal environment,” the spokesperson said.

Federal courts have issued conflicting rulings on similar restrictions in other states, creating uncertainty for healthcare providers about potential legal exposure.

Lurie Children’s decision also comes as Chicago faces broader challenges around youth safety and services. Recent incidents including Three Charged After Car Burglary Chase Through South Side have highlighted ongoing concerns about young people in the city, though those cases involve different issues than healthcare access.

The hospital hasn’t indicated when it might resume gender-affirming treatments for new pediatric patients. That timeline likely depends on federal court decisions and potential changes to the administration’s funding threats.

Stuart’s Jan. 15 announcement didn’t specify what violations the administration suspects at Lurie or the five other hospitals under investigation. His office hasn’t responded to requests for additional details about the probe’s scope or timeline.

The investigation threat represents the most direct federal action against Chicago healthcare institutions since Trump returned to office. Other local hospitals haven’t announced similar treatment suspensions, though several declined to comment on their policies.

Lurie Children’s serves patients from across the Chicago area and Midwest. The hospital’s gender-affirming care program previously treated dozens of young patients annually, according to staff familiar with the program who requested anonymity.

The controversy puts additional pressure on an already strained pediatric healthcare system in Chicago. The city’s children’s hospitals have faced capacity challenges and staffing shortages in recent years, making service reductions particularly concerning for families.

Families currently seeking gender-affirming care for children in Chicago may need to look to other providers or travel to states with less restrictive policies. Several downstate Illinois hospitals continue offering such services, though their capacity is limited.

The investigation remains ongoing, with no timeline announced for completion.