Missouri clinics halt transgender care for minors in wake of new state law
By JIM SALTER and SUMMER BALLENTINE
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — At least two Missouri health care centers have stopped prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors for purposes of gender transition, citing a new state law that gives former patients broad leeway to sue. A statement released Monday by the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital said patients currently receiving care will be referred to other providers. University of Missouri Health Care stopped those services Aug. 28. A law banning hormones and puberty blockers as part of gender-affirming care for minors kicked in Aug. 28. But the law has an exception for minors who started those medications before the ban took effect.