San Diego Sues Rady Children’s Over Gender-Affirming Care
Overview of the Lawsuit
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Rady Children’s Health, alleging that the San Diego-area health system violated the civil rights of transgender children by discontinuing gender-affirming care. The four families involved in the lawsuit claim that the decision to stop providing this care was discriminatory and caused significant harm to their children.
The complaint, submitted to the San Diego County Superior Court, states that Rady Children’s Health violated multiple state laws by terminating medically necessary treatments for approximately 1,900 patients at its gender clinic. This includes the cancellation of appointments, denial of access to medications such as hormone therapy, and emotional distress experienced by the affected children.
“By singling out transgender patients and terminating their medically necessary care without consent or concern for their physical and mental health, defendants have discriminated against plaintiffs on the basis of their sex, gender identity, and disability,” the lawsuit claims.
Rady Children’s Health has not yet responded to requests for comment, and no formal response has been filed in court.
Background on Rady’s Decision
In late January, Rady Children’s Health announced that it would no longer provide gender-affirming care for minors due to “recent federal actions.” This decision comes amid a broader shift in policy under the Trump administration, which has labeled transgender health procedures as “chemical and surgical mutilation” and directed federal agencies to defund programs supporting these services.
Federal investigators have issued subpoenas to clinics and hospitals across the country, including Rady Children’s Health. Additionally, the administration is working on a rule change that would eliminate government funding for hospitals offering transgender health care to minors, potentially leading to a near-total national ban on these services.
Legal Actions Taken Against Rady
In February, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against Rady under a provision of the state’s corporations code. He alleged that the health system had violated a merger agreement requiring it to maintain existing services, including gender-affirming care. A judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing Rady from ending these services, and the case remains ongoing.
Despite this legal action, LGBTQ advocates have criticized Bonta for not pursuing charges related to civil rights violations. California law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and defines gender-affirming care—such as therapy, hormone treatment, and surgery—as “medically necessary health care.”
Impact on Other Medical Institutions
Other medical institutions in California have also terminated or limited gender-affirming care for minors, citing pressure from federal authorities. Advocates had hoped that state intervention would have a broader impact on these hospitals.
The current lawsuit aims to support the patients of Rady’s gender clinic while sending a message to other children’s health providers. Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, which represents the plaintiffs, emphasized the importance of challenging such decisions.
“We can’t just as a society stand by silently and passively while hospitals, of all places, make decisions to exclude an entire group of people just based on who they are. That sets such a dangerous precedent,” Minter said.
Support from Medical Experts
The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, along with dozens of independent scientific studies, recognize gender dysphoria as a serious medical condition requiring treatment. These organizations emphasize the importance of providing appropriate care to transgender individuals.
CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization dedicated to bringing Californians stories that probe, explain, and explore solutions to quality of life issues while holding leaders accountable.
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