California Attorney General Rob Bonta has initiated legal action against Rady Children’s Health, the parent organization of Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), following its decision to cease certain gender-affirming treatments for youth. The lawsuit, filed on January 24, 2026, comes in response to CHOC’s announcement that it will discontinue hormone treatments for patients under 19, effective February 6, 2026. Bonta argues that this decision is a violation of the terms agreed upon in a merger between Rady and CHOC in 2024, which guaranteed continued access to gender-affirming care.
The healthcare system stated it would maintain hormone replacement therapy for patients aged 19 and older, while continuing to treat individuals under 18 without hormones or surgical options. Bonta emphasized that the abrupt policy change affects approximately 1,450 patients currently receiving care. In his statement, he noted, “Rady flagrantly disregarded its legal obligations by unilaterally deciding to preemptively comply with the Administration’s demands and cease medically necessary care.”
In addition to seeking a permanent injunction to restore all gender-affirming care services, the lawsuit highlights the detrimental impact of taking trans youth off their prescribed hormone treatments. Bonta expressed concerns about the short notice given to families affected by the policy change, which he described as leaving “hundreds of patients in medical limbo.”
The father of a trans patient shared his experience with LAist, revealing that he learned about the treatment discontinuation from a nonprofit organization rather than directly from the hospital. He described receiving a brief notification through a health care app, stating that no further information was provided about next steps.
Rady Children’s Health acknowledged the lawsuit and stated it is currently reviewing the filing. The organization has not clarified whether it intends to adhere to its previously announced treatment restrictions. In its defense, Rady cited recent federal actions that it claims influenced its decision regarding gender-affirming care for youth.
The ongoing federal changes surrounding health care for trans youth are still under review, with a 60-day comment period ending on February 17, 2026. Some advocates believe that these federal changes represent an overreach and may undermine the rights of trans youth to access necessary medical care.
Kathie Moehlig, founder and executive director of TransFamily Support Services, expressed support for Bonta’s legal intervention. “They’re clearly in violation of their contract. They’re clearly in violation of the law,” she stated. The organization regularly assists families in connecting with gender-affirming health services and has observed a gradual reduction in access to care at Rady Children’s Health facilities over time.
The lawsuit marks a significant shift in Bonta’s approach to enforcing protections for gender-affirming care in the state. Previously, the Attorney General had communicated concerns to hospitals via letters rather than direct legal action. This new measure reflects heightened advocacy efforts following community protests against the hospital’s policy changes.
As legal disputes continue to unfold surrounding access to gender-affirming care for youth, the implications of Bonta’s lawsuit may resonate beyond California. Ongoing discussions at the federal level about the legality and appropriateness of restricting such care could further influence the landscape of health services available to trans youth across the United States.
In light of these developments, the state’s commitment to ensuring access to necessary medical care for all youth remains a focal point of advocacy efforts, as families and supporters rally for the rights of trans individuals to receive comprehensive health care without interruption.
