Children's Hospital Los Angeles Closes Major Youth Trans Clinic Amid Federal Pressure

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) is closing its Center for Transyouth Health and Development, a major provider of gender-affirming care for youth, due to increasing pressure from the Trump administration and financial challenges. The hospital cited President Trump's executive orders that eliminated federal funding for gender-affirming procedures on minors and directed investigations into providers performing such care as key reasons for the closure. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s directive to prosecute facilities offering gender-affirming treatments and a critical review from the Department of Health and Human Services further intensified the pressure. CHLA also pointed to California’s budget deficit and its own fragile financial position, stating it could only sustain operations for about 50 days without federal funding. Hospital leadership described the closure as a painful and significant change, emphasizing the impact on underserved, low-income youth who rely on their services. Despite other providers continuing gender-affirming care, CHLA felt compelled to comply with federal mandates and cease these programs by July 22.