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Under pressure from the Trump administration, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will be closing its long-standing healthcare programs for trans children and youth this summer, according to an email reviewed by The Times.
The Transyouth Health and Development Center began informing about 3,000 family members of patients on Thursday that it had “no viable alternatives” to allow safety net hospitals to continue specialized care.
“It’s undoubtedly a painful and huge change for our organization and a challenge to the mission, vision and values of CHLA,” a hospital executive wrote to staff in an email Thursday morning.
The email said the decision to close the centre on July 22 has emerged since hospitals temporarily suspend the start of care for some patients this winter, and “follows a long and thorough assessment of the increasingly serious impact of federal administrative measures and proposed policies.”
This member sent shockwaves through the close patient community. The member recently sighed by Ahrelief after CHLA reversed a short ban on care for new patients in February.
“We’re just disappointed, scared and furious,” said Maxine, the current patient’s mother. “The challenge is how to break the news for all of our children and this kid who has had such positive experiences.”
In the email, executives said continuing to operate the center puts the ability to care for “hunds of thousands of other children” of “hunds of thousands” of other children, noting that continuing to operate the center would put a risk to the ability to care for “hunds of thousands of other children.”
“These threats are no longer theoretical,” the memo said. “Onefully, the recent Attorney General, HHS Review of Tips from the FBI to report on GAC hospitals and healthcare providers strongly suggests that this administration will take swift and decisive action.
The hospital’s Transyouth Center is one of the oldest and largest programs in the country, and is one of the only facilities that provide adolescent blockers, hormones and surgical procedures to trans adolescents under public insurance.
However, hospitals also rely on public funds more than any other pediatric medical center in California. This is a situation that is particularly exposed to the Trump administration. About 40% of children’s beds in Los Angeles belong to children.
“CHLA is responsible for ensuring that this complex, uncertain regulatory environment remains as open as possible for as many as possible,” the executive wrote. “In the end, this painful and challenging decision was driven by the need to protect CHLA’s capabilities amid critical external pressures beyond our control.”
Protests broke out in February after hospitals temporarily suspended hormone therapy for patients under the age of 19 in response to President Trump’s executive order.
The move reversed weeks later amid pressure from patients’ families, LGBTQ+ civil rights groups and the state Department of Justice.
“Let’s be clear. California laws have not changed, and hospitals and clinics have a legal obligation to provide equal access to health care services,” Atty said. General Rob Bonta wrote on February 5th on the day of suspension.
The California Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
An internal email from Children’s Leadership on Thursday said federal government pressure rose simultaneously.
“Over the past few months, the deeper budget crisis in California, President Trump’s executive order, proposals for federal law and rules, and increased economic uncertainty have made the situation even more disastrous,” the email said.
Activists say closures set dangerous precedents.
“The CHLA is the leader of this and needs to stand up to the Trump administration as other hospitals are aware of what they are doing,” said Maebe Pudlow, a trans non-binary activist and member of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, who led the protests this winter when care was suspended.
“When everyone is focusing on the ice attacks taking place in Los Angeles, it feels very convenient timing,” the activist continued. “I think it’s mean.”
Mom’s Maxine was more measured.
“We slowly go underground, underground, underground,” said my mother. “You have to do one thing and prepare when it is taken away. We are trying to stick with the other parents, knowing who our allies are and trying to move on with some steps.”
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