The Dane County Board of Supervisors signed a resolution on June 8 condemning UW Health and Children’s Wisconsin for pausing gender-affirming care for minor patients after federal funding threats back in December 2025.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a rule for hospitals, stopping funding for Medicaid and Medicare if they continue to perform sex-rejecting procedures (SRPs) on minors – procedures that use pharmaceutical or surgical interventions to attempt to align an individual's physical body and appearance with an identity that differs from their biological sex.
“These changes are necessary to protect the health and safety of children and reflect HHS' review of recent information on the safety and efficacy of sex-rejecting procedures (SRPs) on children,” the proposed rule said.
In early July, HHS sent NPR an official document stating the department would “likely not be finalizing” the proposed rule.
UW Health and Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee cover the majority of transgender youth care in the state, according to Aria Trucios, Dane County Board Supervisor for District 9.
Trucios told The Daily Cardinal federal funding threats are currently “paused,” and they see no reason for pediatric gender affirming care to stop at UW Health and other Wisconsin hospitals.
“While we continue to believe this is evidence-based care, threats from those federal actions are not fully resolved,” a UW Health statement to the Cardinal said. “Therefore, the current risk is too great to resume this care. We recognize the challenges faced by impacted patients and families and remain committed to providing patient-centered care and supporting their health and well-being throughout this critical time.”
HHS previously said the decision was made based on a peer reviewed study which found early gender interventions could lead to issues such as infertility.
Erin Welsh of District 7 told the Cardinal hypothetical funding cuts are not enough for care facilities to shut down transgender youth care.
“While I understand the concerns of these healthcare providers, their decision…was driven by fear of the current federal administration; not law, not science,” Welsh said. “It sets a dangerous precedent for the healthcare and bodily autonomy of all Dane County residents to let fear of retribution drive access to necessary medical treatment.”
Trucios said the healthcare pause is “heartbreaking.”
“I felt it was necessary for us all to stand together unified and call out the horror and callousness of the decision that was being made,” Trucios said.
Jay Brower, the Dane County Board Supervisor for District 13, told the Cardinal the most important thing for the board is to make sure there is access to care in the Dane County community, whether it’s being provided by UW Health or another facility.
“[At the board meeting] people talked about the impact on them — on their kids not being able to receive care they’ve become accustomed to and rely upon,” Brower said. “There is a need to support people in their self expression, identity and understanding, and it seems like an important issue to me to ensure fairness and equity in healthcare.”
While the board urges UW Health to resume transgender healthcare for minors, Trucios and Brower both note they do not have oversight over UW Health. They said the resolution is only meant to advise and give perspectives of constituents.
Trucios and other sponsors of the resolution argue there is no longer a threat to hospitals who provide gender affirming care for minors. The Dane County Board of Supervisors is now pushing for UW Health to resume pediatric transgender healthcare until they are legally unable to do so.
