ST. PAUL, Minn. — Children’s Minnesota hospital says it will pause some gender health services for minors following federal actions on health care.

The hospital network said in a statement Tuesday that there has been an increase of federal actions “directed at pediatric health systems” such as Children’s, which provides gender-specific care through its Gender Health Care Program.

Among the recent federal actions was a U.S. Health and Human Services declaration in December that called treatments like puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries unsafe and ineffective for children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria. The declaration also warned doctors that they could be excluded from federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid if they provide those types of care.

A coalition of states including Minnesota has sued Health and Human Services over the declaration.

Children’s said it will pause prescribing puberty-suppressing medications and hormones to patients under 18 beginning Feb. 27.

Still, the hospital said its Gender Health Program will not fully close: Mental health, supportive care, medical treatment and non-medical treatment services will continue to be provided to patients and their families.

“Children’s Minnesota remains committed to advocating for the dignity and well-being of the patients and families who trust us with their care,” Children’s stated. “We have contacted our patient families directly to help them navigate any impacts to their care.”

The statement continued that the decision was not one the hospital wanted to make but instead one that had to be made to protect the hospital and its providers. “We stand firmly behind the fact that gender affirming care is evidence-based, safe and lifesaving for transgender and gender diverse youth,” Children’s stated.

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