Controversy Alert: No More Gender-Affirming Care for Teens at Advocate Health Care

Advocate Health Care, one of Illinois’ largest hospital systems, has announced it will no longer offer gender-affirming surgeries or hormone therapies to minors. This decision follows federal directives under President Trump’s January 2025 executive order, which urges institutions receiving federal funding to deny care to individuals under 19.

Services like hormone treatments and gender-affirming surgeries are now being restricted, despite Illinois laws recognizing 18-year-olds as adults. This change is part of a broader national trend, with other major health care systems in Illinois also implementing similar policies in response to investigations from the Department of Justice. The move has sparked intense debates about the government’s role in regulating medical care for transgender youth.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has taken action by leading a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that these restrictions violate state rights and the legal autonomy of health care providers. The lawsuit aims to block federal enforcement, asserting that these changes could harm the health and well-being of transgender youth.