As reported by the Charlotte based Corporation for Public Broadcasting-funded radio station WFAE in early July, Atrium Healthcare told parents of patients they would no longer provide gender-affirming health services for minors. The story initially came to light when the parents of a transgender child in Huntersville told reporters an Atrium physician reached out directly to inform them gender care for youth would cease by the end of the month.
The decision is not entirely unexpected, although it was not known the Healthcare system would end services all together.
North Carolina banned gender transitioning medical treatment for non-adult patients in 2023, but did allow those who began treatment before the law was passed to continue with their care.
According to the WFAE report, the parents of a teen transgender boy who was receiving hormone blockers and testosterone received a call directly from a physician who made it clear the healthcare would be coming to an end.
“I got the call … from our doctor, who made a personal call to several of her patients to warn them and say, ‘ … by the end of july, I’m not going to be able to treat your kid,’ Amanda Dumas told writer and reporter Julian Berger.
At that time Josh and Amanda Dumas found another doctor to treat their child, but Atrium remained tight-lipped.
Since then, Atrium’s parent company Advocate Health announced the decision to cease healthcare options for transgender individuals under the age of 19. In a press statement, the company said the following: ” … this new policy allows our hospitals, clinics and pharmacies to continue caring for all patients’ health needs in the changing federal environment.”
EqualityNC (ENC) announced a Call-Out Day against Atrium Health for the policy, which became effective August 4.
From their announcement: “[This] new policy will stop all gender affirming medical care for [Transgender] youth under 19. This is not a clinical decision. This policy change is to comply with Trump’s illegal executive order and protect Atrium’s financial interests.”
In an interview with WCCB, Dr. Holly Savoy with Charlotte Trans Health says patients are concerned about their future and well being. “Gender affirming care technically includes a lot of things. It can include hormone replacement for a cisgender woman. It can include testosterone placement. It can include hair transplants …”
ENC encourages concerned parties to join in on the organizing video conference August 19 at 6 p.m. to help create call scripts and discuss various strategies.
To join the zoom conference at the aforementioned time, visit http://bit.ly/4fvkqMR
