Denver Health responds to executive order regarding gender-affirming care

Denver Health is committed to and deeply concerned for the health and safety of our gender diverse patients under the age of 19 in light of the executive order regarding youth gender-affirming care. We recognize this order will impact gender-diverse youth, including increased risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality. 

We are working to understand and comply with the full implications of the broadly worded order. Guidance on changes to medical care is being handled privately so that we can best support our patients and their families. The executive order, which was issued on January 28, 2025, includes criminal and financial consequences for those who do not comply, including placing participation in federal programs including Medicare, Medicaid and other programs administered by HHS at risk. These programs represent a significant portion of Denver Health’s funding, and the executive order specifically states that should we not comply, our participation in these programs is at risk. The loss of this funding would critically impair our ability to provide care for the Denver community.

Denver Health is proud to be one of a very small number of providers of comprehensive care services to all of our patients, including to LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse patients. As we navigate the order’s requirements, we will continue to provide primary and behavioral health care to all impacted youth and will work to maintain the level of trust we have built with the LGBTQ+ community. 

We encourage all patients to continue with their scheduled primary care and behavioral health care visits and discuss changes in medical care with their doctor as needed.