AG Nessel says UM-Health decision to stop HRT for some patients ‘potentially illegal’

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued guidance for Michigan healthcare providers after University of Michigan Health announced it will no longer provide hormone treatment to transgender patients under 19.

On Monday, UM-Health announced it would stop providing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or puberty blockers for transgender patients under 19-years-old due to “legal threats” from the federal government to pull funding.

On Tuesday, AG Nessel released guidance saying that the federal government’s decision to potentially hold funding has no weight on Michigan regulations.

"The availability of federal funding has no bearing on Michiganders’ right to seek and receive healthcare services without discrimination. Moreover, access to federal funds does not relieve Michigan healthcare facilities and providers of the obligation to comply with Michigan laws, including those that prohibit discrimination against individuals based on their membership in a protected class, such as religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, or marital status," Nessel said.

The Attorney General says withholding services from transgender individuals based on gender identity or diagnosis of dysphoria, while not withholding the same services from cisgender Michiganders, may be considered discrimination under Michigan law.

“Despite repeated successful legal challenges to actions by this administration, UM has chosen instead to sacrifice the health, well-being, and likely the very lives of Michigan children, to protect itself from the ire of an administration who, oftentimes, engages in unlawful actions itself.”

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