REQUIRE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION. THIS IS NEW TONIGHT. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS SUING A SAN DIEGO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OVER GENDER AFFIRMING CARE. RADY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL SAYS IT ALL STARTED WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREATENED TO SHUT DOWN THE HOSPITAL FOR OFFERING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE TO PEOPLE UNDER 18. IN RESPONSE, THE HOSPITAL SAID THE CENTER WOULD CLOSE, BUT THAT THEN TRIGGERED A LAWSUIT FROM CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA. THE SUIT SAYS THE HOSPITAL VIOLATED THE TERMS OF ITS JANUARY 2025 MERGER WITH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF ORANGE COUNTY. AS PART OF THE DEAL, THEY AGREED TO CONTINUE PROVIDING YOUTH WITH GENDER AFFIRMING CARE. IN A STATEMENT, THE HOSPITAL SAID IN PART, THE RECENT CHANGES TO OUR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE SERVICES REFLECT A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION. THE DECISION WAS GUIDED BY OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS
California sues hospital for complying with Trump administration’s gender-affirming care policy
Updated: 8:16 AM PST Feb 1, 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, alleging that the hospital violated the terms of its merger agreement with Children’s Hospital of Orange County by discontinuing gender-affirming care for minors.Rady Children’s Hospital stated that the issue began when the Trump administration threatened to shut down the hospital for offering gender-affirming care to individuals under 18. In response to the threat, the hospital announced the closure of its gender-affirming care center, which led to the lawsuit from the state.The lawsuit claims that the hospital breached the terms of its January 2025 merger agreement, which included a commitment to continue providing gender-affirming care to youth.In a statement, the hospital said, “The recent changes to our gender-affirming care services reflect a very difficult decision. That decision was guided by our responsibilities as a nonprofit pediatric healthcare system to continue serving all children and families.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SAN DIEGO —
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, alleging that the hospital violated the terms of its merger agreement with Children’s Hospital of Orange County by discontinuing gender-affirming care for minors.
Rady Children’s Hospital stated that the issue began when the Trump administration threatened to shut down the hospital for offering gender-affirming care to individuals under 18. In response to the threat, the hospital announced the closure of its gender-affirming care center, which led to the lawsuit from the state.
The lawsuit claims that the hospital breached the terms of its January 2025 merger agreement, which included a commitment to continue providing gender-affirming care to youth.
In a statement, the hospital said, “The recent changes to our gender-affirming care services reflect a very difficult decision. That decision was guided by our responsibilities as a nonprofit pediatric healthcare system to continue serving all children and families.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel