Atrium Health confirmed Friday it has ceased providing or prescribing gender-affirming care medications for patients under age 19.

The policy change, which went into effect Aug. 4, affects hospitals and providers in the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist network.

Atrium's decision has drawn the ire of at least four LGBTQ advocacy groups in the Charlotte area: Charlotte Trans Health; Gender Education Network; PFLAG Charlotte; and Time Out Youth.

The not-for-profit system said the change is a byproduct of two key developments:

* A 2023 state law (House Bill 808) that placed new restrictions on gender-affirming care for youths; and

* Changes in federal healthcare policies under the Trump administration since January.

"Like many health systems across the country, we have been closely moni

See Full Page