CHKD stated in a press release that it had never provided surgical treatment to its patients.
CHKD, out of concern for its patients and the caring pediatric professionals who work with them, has decided to suspend all medical treatments that are associated with gender affirming care in order to comply with the executive order issued by the White House on Jan. 28. This means we must stop prescribing hormone therapy and puberty blocking agents for gender affirming care. This is in line with recent actions taken by colleagues at UVA and VCU, as well as other hospitals throughout the country.
The statement stated that “CHKD is vigilant in monitoring the guidance related to the executive order, and will be ready to adapt quickly if the circumstances change.”
CHKD’s statement said that “our team expedites access to appointments with doctors and our mental health team in order to offer guidance, mental health services, and consultation with mental health professionals.” We are committed to respecting the dignity of patients, and the trust that they place in CHKD. Our team of dedicated physicians and clinicians .”
Unlike the two university-affiliated systems, CHKD did not receive a letter from Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, who last week sent a memo to UVA Health and VCU Health, informing the systems that they must stop providing treatments to minors seeking puberty blockers, hormone treatments or surgical procedures.
The Republican Attorney General referred in the memo by Miyares titled, “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order issued on Jan. 28, with the same title.
CHKD announced its decision at a time when many health systems, both public and privately-owned, are considering halting gender confirmation treatments for minors. However, under Virginia law minor patients need their parents or guardians permission before they can seek such treatment.
Del. Rodney Willett is a Democratic delegate from Henrico County and he serves on the board of directors at VCU Health. He said in an interview on Tuesday that health systems are heavily reliant on federal funding. They could lose it if they do not comply with White House executive order.
Miyares said in his memo that “any hospital or other institution … is at risk of losing” federal research or education grants, and “may involve Medicare or Medicaid conditions of participation/coverage.”
CHKD notes on its website that Medicaid pays for approximately 55% (the highest percentage of any Virginia acute care hospital) of the inpatient days. Also, CHKD has a “large annual shortfall” between the costs it incurs to treat Medicaid patients, and the reimbursements they receive from Medicaid, including $33,000,000 in fiscal year 2022.
Willett said that VCU Health leaders were “bound” by the executive order of Trump, which he called “inhumane”. It was the devil’s decision. “You’re either damned for doing it or damned for not doing it.”
He said that if VCU lost federal funds, “hundreds and thousands” of patients would be affected, just as it is with UVA Health.
Willett said that the private health care system will also be affected.
Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia, released a statement on Tuesday saying that their position had not changed since last week. “We are reviewing federal directives to determine possible next steps and provide care in compliance with regulation.” As this situation develops, we will be sharing more information with our patients and families.
Bon Secours, Inova Health and Sentara Health have not responded to comments made. Sentara Health stated last week that it does not offer a program of gender reassignment for minors.
Federal lawsuit
On Tuesday, a group consisting of transgender teens, young adults, and their families joined the ACLU and GLMA in a federal suit to challenge Trump’s executive orders that end access to gender-confirming healthcare for those under 19 years old. A 17-year old plaintiff named Willow lives in Richmond. Her last name has been removed from the news release and lawsuit to protect her privacy.
In a statement Willow’s mom, Kristen Chapman said that they moved to Virginia after 2023, when the Tennessee legislature, where they previously lived, passed a bill banning gender affirming care for children.
We moved to Virginia during the summer of 2023 but had a difficult time finding a provider who would accept our Medicaid coverage. Chapman explained that as paying for her treatment out of pocket became prohibitively costly, she tried to secure an appointment with VCU for several months. She finally secured an appointment on Jan. 29, 2025. The day before our scheduled appointment, President Trump had signed the executive orders in question. VCU informed us the next day that Willow would not receive care. This was just hours before our scheduled appointment. I thought Virginia was a safe environment for my daughter and me. Instead, I’m heartbroken and tired.
According to the legal complaint VCU Health informed Willow of her cancellation.
According to the lawsuit, VCU and Children’s Hospital of Richmond each received grants of nearly $7 million from HRSA and grants of nearly $107 from National Institutes for Health in fiscal year 2023. UVA Health also received grants of more than 200 million dollars from NIH.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Subscribe to our newsletter! Get updates on all the latest news in Virginia.
