RICHMOND, Va. — VCU Health and the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU have suspended gender-affirming medication and surgery in response to a recent executive order and "clear guidance from the state."
A statement on the hospital's website reads that current appointments will be maintained to discuss care options for patients in compliance with up-to-date guidance.
The referenced executive order, Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation, was issued on Tuesday. It cuts federal funding for gender-affirming care and promises to "rigorously enforce" laws limiting it.
'Clear guidance from the state'
A spokesperson for Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares confirmed that Miyares has "issued written guidance to his state clients and stands by the guidance."
CBS 6 obtained a copy of the letter, sent to the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University on Thursday, Jan. 30.
"As the Executive Order takes effect immediately, I write to provide this prompt legal advice to enable the Commonwealth—including its agencies—to protect itself from significant legal risk and substantial financial exposure," the letter reads in part. "Given the plain terms of this Executive Order, the chemical and surgical mutilation of children must end immediately. Any institution that continues to engage in such mutilation unacceptably and unjustifiably endangers not only itself and the Commonwealth, but also the vulnerable children of this Commonwealth."
State lawmakers react
Sen. Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg) introduced a bill this session, which has since failed, that would have created similar restrictions as the executive order.
"We have seen too many stories of people in their 20s, 30s, who have regretted the surgeries that they have undergone. That's what generated my bill," Peake said. "We don't let kids drink who are 21 and under. Until they're 21, they can't buy tobacco products, can't get piercings, tattoos, but yet we're going to let them remove healthy body parts. That was my concern."
Meanwhile, Del. Laura Jane Cohen (D-Fairfax) criticized Miyares' opinion during a floor speech on Friday, arguing the executive order targets children and is a form of bullying.
"They want to talk about protecting children? Vote with us to help end gun violence, feed kids, make sure they have roofs over their heads," Cohen said. "But every time their votes show that they don't actually care about kids, they just like talking about it, protecting kids, keeping kids safe. That's not what this is about. This is about cruelty."
What is gender-affirming care?
According to the Children's Hospital, gender-affirming care may include:
- Medical evaluation
- Medical hormone management
- Prescription medications
- Mental health care
- Voice therapy
- Letters of medical necessity to address hormone treatment, school issues and/or surgery (as needed)
- Referrals to other medical and surgical specialists (as needed)
- Referrals to peer and family support groups
- Educational materials
This story will be updated as we learn more. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
📲: CONNECT WITH US
Blue Sky| Facebook| Instagram| X| Threads| TikTok| YouTube
