SPRINGFIELD — A February decision by Baystate Health to no longer provide hormone medications or puberty blockers for patients under the age of 18 should be seen as figuratively throwing children under the bus, according to an area group aiming to have the decision reversed.
Protesters gathered on the lawn at the Chestnut Street entrance to the Springfield hospital Saturday morning, accompanied by a large banner depicting a blue bus with Baystate’s logo and the words “Baystate Bows to Trump,” with the bus appearing to run over stuffed child-sized shirts, jackets and pants.
“Any system that throws trans children under the bus does not work for us,” said Ali Wicks-Lim, of Montague, a lead organizer of the action.
Wicks-Lim referenced how her own children were born at Baystate and received excellent care. “I need them to do better for the children that are here now and asking for the care they need,” Wicks-Lim said.
Several others, many of whom are Baystate patients, spoke about the importance of offering what is known as gender-affirming care at the hospital and its affiliates, rather than transferring those services to Transhealth. Gender-affirming care spans hormone therapy, puberty blockers, mental health treatment and surgery.
Those gathered included mental health professionals and teachers, who referenced how the well-being of people they serve and instruct would be impacted, including those contemplating suicide. One person who transitioned in their 30s asked the hospital to ensure that if a teen is suffering, that hurt is not be prolonged.
Carol Lewis of Amherst explained why she was taking part. “I showed up because [I believe] health care is a human right, and being a life-threatening issue if you don’t get it,” Lewis said.
Mara Levi of Northampton called the hospital’s decision “indefensible and premature” and laid out the demands. Those are for Baystate to reverse the decision, issue a public apology and affirm a commitment to evidence-based, non-discriminatory care for all patients.
“I showed up because people’s lives are far more important to me than anybody’s profit,” Levi said.
Next to the banner with the bus were other signs with quotes from trans youth, such as “I want to grow old because I’ve had gender-affirming care” and “I don’t want to live if I can’t live as myself.”
The concerned area residents noted that the decision by Baystate came before any law required it, before any court upheld it, and in the face of federal rulings in favor of trans youth.
Previously, a spokesperson from Baystate said the move reflects proposed federal regulations that limit Medicare and Medicaid funding for hospitals providing gender-affirming care to youth.
Baystate issued a similar response Monday:
“After careful consideration and thorough analysis, we have made the decision to pause gender-affirming medication care for patients under age 18 while continuing to provide gender-affirming mental health counseling for children and adolescents. Baystate Health is working with the impacted patients and their families to transfer their care to a trusted healthcare organization in our region, or another provider that our patients and their families choose.”
Baystate also notes that there is an evolving regulatory landscape that threatens hundreds of millions of dollars in government reimbursement.
“Our duty is to support our patients and families throughout this process and work closely with them to provide a smooth transition that offers the exceptional care that they need and deserve.”
In December, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced two proposed rules that limit youth access to gender-affirming care. The first rule prohibits Medicare and Medicaid enrolled hospitals from providing hormone treatments and puberty blockers. The second rule prevents Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program reimbursements for any providers offering such care to transgender youth.
Both proposals are outlined in President Donald Trump’s executive order signed in January 2025. The document instructs that agency to “take all appropriate actions to end” gender-affirming care, including changing Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation and coverage.
The protesters dispute that Baystate would be impacted, noting that Massachusetts has a shield law protecting gender-affirming care providers, the state has mandated coverage for this care and multiple court challenges to the federal funding threats have been underway.
They also point to a coalition of 22 states, which includes Massachusetts, subsequently securing a federal court order permanently blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to threaten healthcare providers for treating youth with gender dysphoria.
They also cite a comment from Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein, who said, “Decisions about a young person’s medical care belong in the exam room, guided by patients, families, and clinicians — not by politicians in Washington.”
Even though Baystate security asked the protesters to leave the site, similar actions could be done at additional Baystate Health centers in the area in the coming days and weeks, according to the organizers.
