Judge allows Rady Children’s to limit gender-transition care for new patients

A Superior Court judge has permitted Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego to temporarily restrict the gender-transition services it offers to new patients, according to Voice of San Diego. The ruling allows the hospital to provide puberty blockers only to new patients who are on the cusp of puberty, but not hormone therapy or blockers at other puberty stages.

The decision comes amid reported pressure from the Trump administration on pediatric transgender care. Rady had sought to completely eliminate gender-transition services for new patients, but the state of California opposed this and pushed for the programs to remain unchanged.

The judge’s order may last as few as three months until a hearing scheduled for January 26, which will address the state’s lawsuit against Rady and its sister hospital in Orange County. The exact number of new transgender patients affected by the change is not known but may be limited.

Kathie Moehlig, executive director of the San Diego-based TransFamily Support Services, expressed concern about the ruling’s impact, stating that children come for care at various ages and stages and that many could be harmed by the restrictions. Rady had previously provided care to new patients but altered its approach amid federal government scrutiny.

Rady’s move to limit services follows earlier attempts to eliminate transgender care programs entirely, actions taken as the hospital faced federal pressure. The hospital had publicly promoted its program for years but concealed it starting in 2025 as criticism from the Trump administration intensified.