University Of Michigan Health Pauses Gender-Affirming Care As Advocates Mobilize Support Networks

Community organizations expand resources and guidance for families navigating federal healthcare challenges

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Published: August 26, 2025 | Last Updated: August 27, 2025

The University of Michigan Health system announced it will pause gender-affirming hormone therapies and puberty blockers for patients under 19 following a Department of Justice subpoena received in July. While concerning, the move comes amid a broader federal investigation that has prompted statewide advocates to strengthen support networks and expand resources for affected families.

The decision affects the statewide hospital network's Comprehensive Gender Services Program, which previously served transgender, gender-nonconforming and nonbinary youth seeking medically necessary care. According to reporting by Talking Points Memo, the university received its subpoena July 14 as part of a broader federal investigation targeting more than 20 healthcare providers offering gender-affirming care to minors — and in many cases, 18-year-olds.

"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," the health system said in a statement to media outlets. "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."

The Trump administration's Department of Justice announced July 9 that it had sent subpoenas to doctors and clinics "involved in performing transgender medical procedures on children." Other major healthcare institutions receiving subpoenas reportedly include the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and UChicago Medicine.

University of Michigan Health acknowledged the impact of its decision, stating, "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 health system emphasized it will continue providing other forms of care to gender-diverse patients and has increased access to mental health services for those affected by the change.

Advocates strengthen support networks

Erin Knott, executive director of Equality Michigan, said in a news release the decision represents "yet another alarming move by a major healthcare institution to walk away from its responsibility to serve all patients — including some of our most vulnerable young people."

"It is especially disheartening to see this decision come from an institution within our own state — one long recognized for its leadership in both healthcare and education," Knott said. "Even in making this harmful decision, the University of Michigan appears to acknowledge the legitimacy and value of gender-affirming care. Yet, it has chosen to retreat. This sends a chilling and damaging message to the very young people who most need affirmation, stability and support."

Knott emphasized that "gender-affirming care remains legal in the state of Michigan" and said Equality Michigan "will continue working tirelessly to ensure every trans young person in our state has access to the care, dignity and respect they deserve."

The Stand with Trans team at the organization's annual family picnic in August. Courtesy photo

Roz Keith, executive director of Stand with Trans, told Pride Source that "gender-affirming care, which includes prescribing HRT, is legal in the state of Michigan. The care is life-saving and backed by evidence-based research. Every reputable medical institution in this country believes that trans people receive the medical transition related care that is appropriate for their individual circumstance."

Keith noted that "every individual deserves access to medical care without government interference. Confidential health records are safeguarded under HIPAA, reflecting the fundamental right to privacy and dignity in healthcare."

Speaking as both an advocate and a parent, Keith shared her personal experience: "As a parent, I know how hard it was to find care a dozen years ago for my child. It was an immense relief to be able to go to Michigan Medicine for his gender dysphoria and associated, requisite care. Right now, if the rug was pulled out from under us, I cannot even imagine the distress that my child would be experiencing. His mental health was already in question. Not having access to care might have been the difference between life and death."

Meanwhile, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, an international organization of health professionals, states that "transgender young people deserve healthcare that is informed by science, compassion and respect. Gender-affirming care is backed by rigorous research, expert consensus and patient-centered values. Studies consistently show its positive impact, including improved mental health and overall quality of life."

WPATH's mission is to "promote evidence-based care, education, research, public policy and respect in transgender health." The organization is joined by other major medical organizations in concluding that age-appropriate gender-affirming care is evidence-based and medically necessary, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Endocrine Society.

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Resources and support available statewide

Multiple organizations across Michigan have mobilized to provide comprehensive support for transgender youth and families navigating these healthcare challenges.

Stand with Trans is compiling a list of referral-based resources for families seeking alternative care outside the hospital system. The organization provides direct assistance to families and can be reached at [email protected] for information and resources.
Equality Michigan continues advocating for policy protections and connecting families with legal resources. The organization works to ensure transgender Michiganders maintain access to affirming healthcare and can provide guidance on navigating system changes.
Transgender Michigan offers community support, educational resources and connections to healthcare providers throughout the state. The organization maintains updated information about available services and can help families identify alternative care options.

For families facing legal concerns involving discrimination or access issues, both the ACLU of Michigan and Equality Michigan provide legal advocacy and can offer guidance on protecting rights under existing state and federal protections.

These organizations emphasize that while individual healthcare systems may change their policies, the legal landscape in Michigan continues to support access to gender-affirming care for those who need it.

Federal investigation creates challenging landscape

The University of Michigan's decision comes amid what advocates describe as an unprecedented federal campaign targeting gender-affirming care providers. The Washington Post reported that legal experts consider the Justice Department subpoenas related to medical care for transgender minors to be unprecedented, let alone adults who are 18.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a multistate lawsuit Aug. 1 to block the administration from using threats of criminal prosecution to restrict care. The lawsuit was filed two weeks after the University of Michigan health system received its subpoena.

The federal investigation represents a dramatic shift in how the government approaches transgender healthcare, with reports indicating that DOJ attorneys are investigating doctors on suspicion of abusing their authority to prescribe medication, among other potential charges.

For University of Michigan Health's administrators and clinicians, the subpoena created a challenging situation with little clarity on how to respond, as there are no specific criminal charges to defend against and no new law or federal rule interpretation to challenge in court.

Despite these federal pressures, advocates emphasize that Michigan's legal protections remain intact and that families have options. The decision by one health system, while significant, does not eliminate access to gender-affirming care throughout the state, and community organizations continue working to ensure continuity of support for transgender youth and their families.