Wisconsin Pediatric Hospitals Pause Minor Gender‑Affirming Care Amid Federal Policy Shifts

Two Wisconsin pediatric centers, Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health, have paused gender-affirming treatments for patients under 18, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, citing escalating legal and federal regulatory risk after the Trump administration announced plans to block Medicaid and Medicare funding for such services; advocates warn the pause could worsen LGBTQ+ youths’ mental health, while the hospitals say they will continue non-pharmacologic care and mental health support.