On June 5th, 2026, Cleveland Clinic reached an agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to end gender-affirming medical care for transgender and gender diverse minors, for the next twenty years, regardless of Ohio state laws. As a part of this agreement, the hospital system has also committed 2 million dollars to provide “detransitioning care” to patients who have received gender affirming care.

Gender affirming care is an evidence-based medical practice with over 30 major medical and mental health organizations officially endorsing its medical necessity. Professional guidelines from the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Psychiatric Association, as well as our own Ohio State Medical Association, all recognize the essential clinical need for gender-affirming treatment.  The evidence is clear: gender-affirming care saves lives and improves wellbeing in youths.

Families already face significant barriers to gender-affirming care. In Ohio, access to this care for minors has already been largely banned under a 2024 state law. Thus this agreement largely does not change what care Cleveland Clinic provides, but instead sends a message of neglect and abandonment of our LGBTQIA+ patients and prevents the possibility of future care for 20 years. This agreement further harms an already vulnerable population. 

As healthcare providers of the greater Cleveland community, we write to dissent from this agreement and reaffirm our commitment to LGBTQIA+ patients. 

To the transgender youth of Cleveland: we will continue to fight for your right to live with dignity and on your own terms.

In solidarity,

The Undersigned Healthcare Providers of Greater Cleveland

To help demonstrate widespread support, please provide your healthcare occupation/degree and, if applicable/able your specialty (e.g. nursing, social work, surgery, primary care, etc.) in the comments!