Baystate Health Pauses Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

Western MassachusettsUpdated: Feb 16, 2026, 5:24 p.m. By Greta Jochem | gjochem@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has informed parents and guardians that it will cease prescribing hormone therapy and puberty blockers to individuals under the age of 18, as detailed in a communication distributed last week. The February 9th letter explains the evolving healthcare landscape is prompting a reassessment of service provision to best meet the needs of families. While the organization will maintain its commitment to providing gender-affirming mental health counseling for adolescents and children, medication-based interventions are being discontinued for this age group.

Changes to Transgender Healthcare Access

The decision was conveyed in a letter signed by Dr. Matthew D. Di Guglielmo, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Baystate Health. Dr. Di Guglielmo emphasized the gravity of this choice, stating, “Please know that this decision was not made lightly.” A formal statement from Baystate Health clarifies the change is a direct response to emerging federal regulations impacting Medicare and Medicaid funding.

Approximately 70% of Baystate Health’s patient base relies on these vital programs, and the organization underscored its dedication to preserving access to care for all community members. The shift comes amid increasing scrutiny of healthcare services for transgender youth at the national level.

Federal Regulations Impacting Gender-Affirming Care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released proposed regulations in December that could result in funding reductions for healthcare facilities offering gender-affirming care to young transgender individuals, specifically including the prescription of puberty-blocking medications. A further proposed rule seeks to prevent Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) from covering such care for those under 18.

These proposed rules drew criticism from the American Academy of Pediatrics in December, with President Dr. Susan J. Kressly asserting, “Patients, their families and their physicians — not politicians or government officials — should be the ones to make decisions together about what care is best for them." Public commentary on the proposed rules was accepted through Tuesday.

National Trend and Patient Transition

The current regulations originate from an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.” This order stipulates that the federal government will not provide financial support for what it terms the “transition” of a child’s gender. Baystate Health is actively collaborating with Transhealth, a Northampton-based independent nonprofit healthcare organization, to facilitate the transfer of patient care.

Jo Erwin, CEO of Transhealth, confirmed the organization is prepared to welcome these patients, stating, “Transhealth welcomes trans youth from Baystate Health as new patients.” Transhealth has expanded its provider network to ensure the delivery of specialized and compassionate care to all youth transitioning from Baystate. This situation mirrors a growing trend across the country, with over 40 hospitals reportedly curtailing certain gender-affirming care services for transgender youth in the year following President Trump’s executive order, as reported by STAT News.