University of Michigan Suspends Gender-Affirming Care for Minors Amid Federal Investigation

The University of Michigan, one of the country’s largest and most respected hospital systems, has confirmed it will no longer provide gender-affirming hormonal therapies or puberty blocker medications for patients under the age of 19. The decision, announced Monday, follows a subpoena from the Department of Justice (DOJ), part of a coordinated federal criminal and civil investigation into gender-affirming care for minors. This escalation is widely seen as a direct consequence of the Trump administration’s intensifying campaign against transgender Americans’ access to healthcare, particularly youth-focused services .

In a statement released to Talking Points Memo, Michigan Medicine acknowledged the scope and gravity of the decision:

"The University of Michigan, including Michigan Medicine, is one of multiple institutions across the country that has received a federal subpoena as part of a criminal and civil investigation into gender-affirming care for minors. In light of that investigation, and given escalating external threats and risks, we will no longer provide gender affirming hormonal therapies and puberty blocker medications for minors. We recognize the gravity and impact of this decision for our patients and our community. We are working closely with all those impacted, and we will continuously support the well-being of our patients, their families, and our teams." .

The University’s Center for Gender Safety and Progress (CGSP), which has served as a central hub for gender-affirming care, has updated its website to reflect this new policy for patients under 19 .

Michigan’s move is not isolated. According to reporting from The Advocate, at least 21 hospital systems and clinics have ended or restricted gender-affirming care for youth since January 2025, amid increasing federal scrutiny and pressure . The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and several other major institutions have also received federal subpoenas demanding confidential patient information and details about their gender-affirming care programs, illustrating the breadth of the DOJ’s investigation .

While gender-affirming care for minors remains legal in Michigan, the chilling effect of federal investigations and the threat of prosecution have led large providers to suspend services, leaving families and transgender youth with few options for medically supervised transition support .

The University of Michigan’s decision follows not only the DOJ subpoena but also an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services, reportedly initiated after a former employee claimed she was terminated for seeking a religious exemption from providing gender-affirming care .

The Trump administration has made the restriction of gender-affirming care for minors a central issue, with federal agencies targeting healthcare providers and seeking records about transgender patients. Advocates warn that these policies fundamentally threaten the safety and well-being of transgender youth, who already face higher rates of mental health challenges, discrimination, and barriers to care .

Local and national LGBTQ+ organizations have expressed deep concern over the University’s decision and the broader federal campaign.

- The Human Rights Campaign has stated that restricting access to gender-affirming care endangers transgender youth and undermines medical best practices established by every major pediatric and mental health association .
- Michigan Equality, a statewide LGBTQ+ group, announced plans to offer emergency support and referral services for families affected by the policy shift .

Transgender youth and their families, already navigating a challenging healthcare landscape, now face additional uncertainty and fear. Many are left to seek care out of state or rely on private providers, options that are often unaffordable and logistically complicated .

Michigan Medicine has pledged to support affected patients and families through the transition, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to the well-being of transgender people at their facilities . However, the specifics of alternative support or referral pathways remain unclear.

For adult patients, gender-affirming care continues at the University of Michigan, including hormone therapy and surgical procedures, pending insurance and clinical requirements . Wait times for these services remain lengthy, and advocates warn that continued legal and political pressure could eventually affect services for adults as well.

The suspension of gender-affirming care for minors at the University of Michigan signals a new phase in the national debate over transgender health rights, with federal investigations now directly influencing clinical policy at leading institutions. As the DOJ’s campaign expands, advocates for transgender rights, medical professionals, and affected families are calling for urgent action to protect access to evidence-based healthcare and to safeguard the rights of LGBTQ+ youth.

In the coming weeks, organizations and affected individuals are expected to challenge the federal investigations and seek new avenues to restore and protect essential health services for transgender minors.