CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — The Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters sent a memo on plans to proceed with gender-affirming care after a federal judge blocked an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.
The executive order was aimed at withholding federal funding for institutions who provide gender-affirming care for those under 19. CHKD had suspended gender-affirming care to align with the president’s orders, but have reevaluated their policies after it was blocked.
CHKD stated they plan to work with patients to continue their care based on an evaluation of each individual. This includes providing some patients with prescriptions, consultation and mental health services. However, CHKD has never provided surgical treatment as part of gender-affirming care.
“After careful analysis of the January 28 White House Executive Order as well as subsequent temporary restraining orders issued by courts in Maryland and Washington, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters shares the following update regarding the availability of gender-affirming care,” the hospital stated in a release.
The temporary injunction of the federal block was extended on Friday, Feb. 28, by U.S. District Court Judge Lauren King. The latest case was led by four Democratic states of Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington; it was the second time a judge has blocked Trump’s order on the matter.
A continuous power struggle between states and the Republican administration has often put transgender individuals right in the middle of the onslaught with several executive orders cracking down on sports and military enrollment for transgender individuals.
“We will continue to monitor all legal and governmental determinations so that we can provide the best care possible within the scope of current laws and regulations,” the release states.
