California AG Sues Rady Children's Hospital Over Gender-Affirming Care

Lawsuit alleges hospital violated merger conditions by curtailing transgender services.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:55pm

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against Rady Children's Hospital, alleging the San Diego-based medical center violated conditions placed on its 2024 merger with Children's Hospital of Orange County by curtailing gender-affirming care services.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights the ongoing legal battles over access to transgender healthcare, especially for minors, as states and medical providers navigate a complex and politically charged landscape around LGBTQ+ rights.

The details

According to the lawsuit, one of the conditions of Rady's merger was maintaining an alphabetized list of 36 medical services, including gender-affirming care. However, the attorney general's office claims Rady has since limited access to certain transgender services, in violation of the merger agreement.

  • Rady Children's Hospital merged with Children's Hospital of Orange County in 2024.
  • The California Attorney General's office filed the lawsuit on January 31, 2026.

The players

Rob Bonta

The California Attorney General who filed the lawsuit against Rady Children's Hospital.

Rady Children's Hospital

A San Diego-based medical center that merged with Children's Hospital of Orange County in 2024.

Children's Hospital of Orange County

A hospital that merged with Rady Children's Hospital in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure that all Californians, including transgender youth, have access to the critical, life-saving medical care they need.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

What’s next

The case will now proceed through the legal system, with the court set to determine whether Rady Children's Hospital violated the terms of its merger agreement.

The takeaway

This lawsuit underscores the ongoing battles over transgender healthcare access, particularly for minors, as states and medical providers navigate a complex and politically charged landscape around LGBTQ+ rights.