Michigan’s largest health care system resumes gender-affirming care for youth

Photo: Shuttershock

By Lucas Henkel

February 12, 2025

After criticism from civil rights organizations, elected officials, and the LGBTQ+ community, Corewell Health will continue providing gender-affirming care for minors in the Great Lakes State.

After President Trump signed an executive order that threatened to strip federal funding from hospitals that offered hormone therapy for minors, Corewell Health became the first medical system in the state of Michigan to restrict gender-affirming care for youth.

The decision didn’t go unnoticed, however.

More than 40 organizations recently sent an open letter to Corewell Health, urging the hospital administration to reinstate that care.

The letter included guidance from Attorney General Dana Nessel, who stated that refusing health care services to a class of individuals based on their perceived status—like withholding services from transgender individuals based on their gender identity—while offering services to cisgender individuals may constitute discrimination under Michigan law.

On Feb. 12, a day after receiving the letter, Corewell Health stated that, after assessing the impact of the recent policy changes, they have decided to reverse their decision.

“Discrimination has no place in Michigan,” said Equality Michigan (EQMI)—a nonprofit organization that has been fighting for the rights of LGBTQ+ Michiganders for over 20 years. Also part of the open letter to Corewell, the org celebrated the decision in a recent Facebook post.

“Thank you to everyone who spoke up about this injustice to ensure that young people and their families get the care they need to thrive!”

Author

Lucas Henkel

Lucas Henkel is a Reporter and Strategic Communications Producer for COURIER based in mid-Michigan, covering community stories and public policies across the country.

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CATEGORIES: LGBTQ

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