UVA Health to resume gender-affirming care after federal judge temporarily blocks White House direction

A federal judge has put a temporary block on a directive from President Donald Trump to withhold federal funds from health care entities that treat young people who identify as transgender.

A coalition under the name PFLAG, Inc. Et. Al. filed suit against Trump and personnel in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeking to throw out provisions of two executive orders. One of them titled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.

“It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” section 2 of the order. “These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.”

The order also contains a specific directive that’s at the heart of PFLAG’s case.

“Federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology,”the order continues. “Each agency shall assess grant conditions and grantee preferences and ensure grant funds do not promote gender ideology.”

A second order was issued on January 28 with the title Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation that describes specific procedures that are known under the phrase “gender-affirming care.”

Shortly after the second order was issued, television station WRIC reported that Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares sent a memo to both the health systems at both the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University ordering them to comply. They both did so.

The executive branch is one of three branches in the federal government and groups and individuals have the ability to challenge policies promulgated by a new president.

PFLAG is a group that formed in 1973 under the name Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays before becoming known as just the acronym in 2014 to expand advocacy to more types of people.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit on February and PFLAG joined soon afterward.

Judge Brendan A. Hurson of the District Court for Maryland issued a ruling Thursday that blocked the order from going into effect. According to the ruling the defendants “are RESTRAINED from conditioning or withholding federal funding based on the fact that a healthcare entity or health professional provides gender affirming medical care to a patient under the age of 19.”

The order is in effect through February 27 while parties arrange materials for a hearing on the matter. The order also directs the executive branch to release any funding and to provide a status report by February 20 on compliance with the order. (read the order)

UVA Health has resumed providing medical care to patients that seek it.

“Now that a federal court has issued a temporary restraining order suspending the federal executive order on gender-affirming care, UVA Health will resume the provision of those services that were previously paused in response to the order,” reads a statement issued on February 13. “UVA Health will continue to monitor legal developments in this case and provide our patients with the best care possible under Virginia and federal law.”

The Children’s Hospital of Richmond operated by VCU Health also issued a statement that said that entity is still reviewing its course of action, but has not resumed the practice. The relevant webpage was updated late Friday afternoon.

“VCU Health and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU have received verbal guidance from the Governor’s Office that the Virginia Attorney General’s prior directive that prohibits gender-affirming services outlined in the White House’s Executive Order still stands,” reads the website.

PFLAG also issued a statement.

“Today’s intervention by the court underscores the cruelty and recklessness that is embedded in this order and affirms our commitment to resist the administration’s extremist agenda that targets trans and non-binary young people and privileges political ideology over medical expertise,” said Alex Sheldon, executive director of GMLA. That’s a national organization that advocates for health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities.”

On Friday at original publication time, there was a cybersecurity attack underway on the website of the Virginia Attorney General. WJLA reports the Virginia State Police are investigating the incident.

Before you go: This edition was originally posted in the February 14, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement and then posted to Information Charlottesville soon afterward. The idea is to inform, and it’s all part of Town Crier Productions. If you want to support the work, consider a paid subscription through Substack or become a supporter on Patreon.