gender identity

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 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.

The new rule threatens the loss of insurance funds in an attempt to prevent discrimination based on sex, including gender identity. The judge wrote that state agencies faced "imminent injury" because of the rule.

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the case the week of Sept. 16 in Birmingham.

The Biden administration urged an appeals court to uphold a ruling that Florida violated federal law by blocking coverage for people seeking hormone therapy and puberty blockers.

Should the nation’s highest court agree to take the case, it would mark the first time the justices will weigh in on the debate surrounding restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors.