The nation’s largest nurses’ union is blasting Kaiser Permanente for pausing gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 starting next month, due to pending litigation and pressure from the Trump administration.
“As the legal and regulatory environment for gender-affirming care continues to evolve, we must carefully consider the significant risks being created for health systems, clinicians, and patients under the age of 19 seeking this care,” Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente said in a statement emailed to The Center Square.
Kaiser, which operates hospitals across the northwest – including in Kent, Federal Way and Auburn – said it will pause the surgeries starting Aug. 29 but will continue to provide other gender-affirming treatments.
Gender-affirming treatments include puberty-blocking drugs and hormone therapy, often provided to patients prior to any surgical procedure.
“We continue to meet with regulators as well as our clinicians, patients, their families, and the community with the goal of identifying a responsible path forward. We recognize that this is an extremely challenging and stressful time for our patients seeking care, as well as for our clinicians whose mission is to care for them. We will work closely with each patient to support their care journey,” Kaiser’s statement said.
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Author: Ray Hilbrich
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