Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, will cease prescribing gender-affirming medications to patients beginning September 26. The decision impacts current patients receiving hormone therapy and comes amid a shifting legal landscape surrounding gender-affirming care for minors in the state.
The hospital stated the move is a proactive measure to align with evolving regulations, despite currently being in compliance with state and federal laws. While Nationwide Children’s will discontinue prescriptions, they will continue to offer behavioral health services and other necessary healthcare to affected patients and families. The change follows the Ohio Supreme Court’s April ruling upholding a state ban on gender-affirming care for minors, initially vetoed by Gov.Mike DeWine but later overridden by the legislature.
A hospital spokesperson emphasized patient safety as the priority during the transition, stating they will collaborate with patients to safely conclude their current prescriptions. The law prohibits counseling, surgery, and hormone therapy for youth unless they are already undergoing treatment and a physician determines cessation would be harmful.
The hospital has not disclosed the number of patients who will be affected by this change.
