gender affirming care

A federal appeals court will hear arguments Jan. 15 in a legal battle about restrictions on treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for people diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

The denial means the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for children with gender dysphoria will remain restricted while the federal appeals court considers an underlying case.

Spektrum Health was prepared to adjust how it provides care for when Florida’s ban on transgender therapies returned.

Tampa-based U.S. District Judge William Jung issued an injunction in July to halt the rule, which was designed to help prevent discrimination in health care programs that receive federal money.

The stay means the state's restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors with gender dysphoria can be in effect while the Atlanta-based court considers an underlying appeal.

The decision could be important for a legal battle over a Florida law that prevents minors from receiving hormone therapy and puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria.

A district judge in June said Florida's law restricting access to gender-affirming care was unconstitutional. Lawyers for plaintiffs and their families say even a temporary rollback on that decision is "devastating."

The ruling effectively means the restrictions on puberty blockers and hormonal treatments for children and adults can take effect while the appeals court considers an underlying appeal.

Attorneys for both sides filed a court document dismissing the case, which the pediatricians group filed last year after House Health & Human Services Chair Randy Fine subpoenaed documents.

The federal judge says the Department of Management Services violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The court will schedule a trial to determine the amount of plaintiffs’ damages.