The choice made by UPMC to cease providing gender-affirming treatments to individuals under 19 years old has sparked numerous responses from various groups and healthcare providers throughout Pennsylvania.
READ MORE | UPMC is stopping gender-affirming care services for patients below the age of 19.
The modifications stem from an executive order issued by the Trump administration, signaling that federal funds may be withdrawn from hospitals failing to adhere to these guidelines.
A spokesperson for the medical center says it does will not practice specific types of care for patients under 19.
UPMC remains dedicated to delivering outstanding care to every patient we serve. We consistently track and adhere to guidelines issued by the federal authorities that impact our healthcare providers' capacity to deliver certain treatments to minors. Within legal limits, we still supply essential mental health services along with additional assistance. Our hearts go out to those patients and their loved ones who are experiencing disruptions due to these continuous alterations.
Some people consider gender-affirming care as irreversible, whereas others, such as those who gathered outside a UPMC Outpatient Center in Lancaster on Thursday, view it as essential for survival. Nonetheless, all parties acknowledge the controversy surrounding the age limitations imposed on these treatments.
"At 18, you're eligible for the draft, able to join the military, and granted voting rights. These choices are significant – they have profound impacts on your life – particularly when it comes to serving in the military, as this could potentially endanger your life, correct? By choosing to enlist, you accept the risk to your own safety," explained Corinne Goodwin, who founded and leads the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project.
At the same time, certain institutions, such as the PA Family Institute, argue that 18 years old is still regarded as a minor.
"When it reaches the age of 18, considering that we provide coverage for children, using taxpayer money to fund such potentially damaging and permanent procedures shouldn’t occur,” stated Dan Bartkowiak, who serves as the chief strategy officer at the Pennsylvania Family Institute.
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We reached out to Penn State Health to inquire about their guidelines concerning gender-affirming care for young people. This was their response:
Our present policy categorizing minors as those below 18 years old is still active for now. Nonetheless, we are currently assessing potential modifications to this policy to ensure compliance with the new executive order.
Multiple transgender rights supporters, along with Pittsburgh's mayor, staged a protest outside UPMC headquarters on Friday despite the rainy weather.
Local authorities and neighborhood heads endorsed an open letter directed at the leadership and board members of UPMC. This correspondence outlined several requests, including the prompt restoration of gender-affirming treatments for every patient. Additionally, they demanded that if judicial decisions, legislation, or guidelines compel UPMC to cease these services, then the organization must advocate for and finance substitute healthcare providers.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey stated, 'They claim they are a caring hospital. So, ensure that you genuinely wish to confirm we uphold justice for our transgender community. Should you truly be caregivers, then verify that ultimately, we implement measures to look after everyone.'
In January, President Trump issued the executive order.
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