The largest health care provider in western Massachusetts Baystate Health confirmed earlier this month that it will no longer prescribe puberty blockers or so-called gender-affirming hormone treatments to minors. Hospital officials indicated the decision was motivated by fears that continuing to offer such treatments could jeopardize eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement.
The developments follow a December 2025 announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said the administration would withhold Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals that provide hormones or gender-related treatments to minors. “This is not medicine. It is malpractice,” Kennedy said.
The shift also coincides with new positions from major medical groups. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently advised delaying gender-related surgeries until patients are at least 19. The American Medical Association issued a similar statement, citing limited long-term evidence supporting the effectiveness of such procedures before adulthood.
As a result, hospitals nationwide—including those in traditionally supportive states—face a choice between discontinuing such treatments or risking major funding losses. Currently, 27 states have enacted bans or restrictions on gender-related medical interventions for youth, reports National Review.
In a letter sent to parents and guardians, Baystate Health said it will continue providing counseling services to minors experiencing gender dysphoria. However, medical interventions involving hormones or blockers will no longer be offered through its facilities. Instead, the system plans to transition affected patients to Transhealth, a local provider that continues to offer gender-related medical services.
“This decision offers patients the specialized expertise and continuity of care they need and deserve and reflects the evolving regulatory landscape that threatens hundreds of millions of dollars in hospital Medicaid and Medicare funding,” Baystate Health said in a statement to the Boston Globe. “Nearly 70 percent of Baystate Health patients rely on Medicaid and Medicare, and preserving access to care for these individuals and all others in our community is a responsibility we take seriously.”
Baystate Health is not alone in reevaluating its approach. In October, Fenway Health halted its own gender-affirming care program, citing similar concerns about potential federal funding losses. Two major hospitals in Connecticut have also made comparable changes.