The University Hospital operates on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, in Columbia, Mo.
MU Health Care will stop providing puberty blockers and hormones to minors who are established patients.
MU Health Care will no longer provide puberty blockers or hormones to anyone under the age of 18, even if they were already receiving care.
Senate Bill 49, which prohibits minors from beginning gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers, hormones and gender-affirming surgeries, went into effect on Monday. The bill does not state that existing patients are required to stop receiving gender-affirming health care.
Immediately after the bill went into effect, Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote a letter confirming that patients already receiving treatment are allowed to continue their care.
According to the letter, health care providers, “may continue providing puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to patients already receiving them before August 28.”
Bailey also stated that health care providers who provide gender affirming care to new patients, “shall have his or her license to practice revoked.”
MU Health Care’s decision to discontinue treatment for existing patients will impact transgender youth across mid-Missouri.
The Center Project, a local LGBTQ+ nonprofit, said in a Facebook post that they were “devastated to learn of MU’s decision to discontinue treatment of even established minor patients.”
“We have heard that MU doctors are contacting their patients about continuity of care,” the Facebook post said. “If you have not heard from your doctor, we recommend that you reach out immediately to discuss your options.”
Senate Bill 49 also prohibits transgender adults under Missouri Medicaid from receiving gender-affirming health care, and it prohibits prisoners and inmates from receiving gender-affirming surgery.
Edited by Sophia Anderson | sanderson@themaneater.com