“We recognize this order will impact gender-diverse youth, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality,” the health group said.
Denver Health will no longer offer transgender sex change surgeries to those under the age of 19, according to a Thursday statement. The change comes as an effort to hold onto federal funding following President Donald Trump's recently signed executive order titled, "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation." The measure threatens to freeze federal funds to hospitals should they perform life-altering sex change surgeries on minors.
"Denver Health is committed to and deeply concerned for the health and safety of our gender diverse patients under the age of 19 in light of the executive order regarding youth and gender-affirming care. We recognize this order will impact gender-diverse youth, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality," the statement reads, which was obtained by local News9. "It is our understanding that compliance with the order commenced as of January 28, 2025. We are working to understand and comply with the full implications of the broadly worded order."
Denver Health, which serves the metro area, receives $89 million per year from the federal government and is not in a position to lose funding, the network reported. The health group said last year—before voters passed a measure to increase state funding for the hospital—that it was in a financial "death spiral."
Additionally, the health group cited the criminal component of the president's executive order, which states that medical professionals are subjected to prosecution by the Department of Justice should they defy the order.
"The executive order includes criminal and financial consequences for those who do not comply, including placing participation in federal programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs administered by HHS at risk," the statement continued. "These programs represent a significant portion of Denver Health's funding, and the executive order specifically states that should we not comply, our participation in these programs is at risk. The loss of funding would critically impair our ability to provide care for the Denver community."
"As we navigate the order's requirements, we will continue to provide primary and behavioral health care to all impacted youth and will work to maintain the level of trust we have built with the LGBTQ+ community," Denver Health concluded.
In the executive order signed on January 28, President Trump wrote that sex change surgeries for minors are a "dangerous trend" that would leave "a stain on our Nation's history." The full text of the executive order can be read here.
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