EVERETT — Providence Swedish plans to continue providing gender-affirming care for now despite a recent ban by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishops approved the ban Wednesday , along with several other revisions to its directives for Catholic health care systems.

Gender-affirming care includes medical and behavioral treatments for patients whose gender identity is different than their sex as assigned at birth. Many health organizations, including the American Medical Association , say gender-affirming care is medically necessary.

Providence provides several gender-affirming care services for transgender patients, including behavioral health, hormone replacement therapy and surgical interventions.

“At this time, no clinical practices are being altered as a res

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