Legal, advocacy groups react as Nationwide Children's halts gender-affirming care
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After Nationwide Children's Hospital's decision to cease providing gender-affirming care for transgender patients, local legal and advocacy groups say they will continue challenging Ohio's ban on such treatment for youth.
Nationwide Children's confirmed this month that it will no longer prescribe gender-affirming medications beginning Sept. 26. Although the hospital said it's "currently in compliance with state and federal regulations," the decision is "in order to proactively plan and support our providers and patients in a rapidly changing regulatory environment." Watch a previous NBC4 report on Nationwide Children's announcement in the video player above.
Freda Levenson, ACLU of Ohio legal director, reiterated the organization's commitment to challenging House Bill 68, the state's contested law banning youth from receiving such treatment, in the Ohio Supreme Court.
"We are actively fighting Ohio's ban on gender affirming care for trans youth in the Ohio Supreme Court," Levenson said in a statement. "A briefing schedule has been set, and we expect oral argument to be ordered. Even though the ban remains in effect while our lawsuit continues, the ACLU of Ohio will do everything we can to ensure trans youth receive lifesaving medical care moving forward."
H.B. 68 was approved in early 2024, prohibiting minors from accessing gender-affirming counseling and medications like puberty blockers. The law also restricts trans girls' participation in women's sports. Despite the Ohio Supreme Court agreeing to hear the case, H.B. 68 remains in effect as litigation continues.
Dara Adkison, TransOhio executive director, criticized Nationwide Children's decision, expressing frustration that the hospital had chosen to act in anticipation of potential legal consequences.
"We are not surprised, but are furious at Nationwide choosing this nonlegally mandated discrimination. ... To everyone being affected by Nationwide's closure of youth gender-affirming medical care, just know that there are support networks for you and your families locally and across the state," Adkison said, citing local groups such as the Campaign for Southern Equality's Trans Youth Emergency Project, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, and Colors+ Counseling.
Nationwide Children's move to discontinue these treatments marks the first of its kind in the state. The hospital emphasized its continued commitment to providing other forms of care for trans patients, including behavioral health services.
"I want to commend Nationwide Children's Hospital for going above and beyond the requirements in a manner safe for their patients," said Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery), H.B. 68's primary sponsor, on social media. "Despite some vigorous debates on this specific topic, Nationwide has a great reputation."