Kaiser Permanente will pause gender-affirming surgeries for patients 18 and under starting Aug. 29, the health care group confirmed Thursday. “Since January, there has been significant focus by the federal government on gender-affirming care, specifically for patients under the age of 19,” Kaiser said in a statement on its decision.

The California transgender community is pushing back against Kaiser Permanente's announced pause on gender-affirming surgery for patients 18 and under.

The health system announced they would pause surgical treatment for patients under the age of 19 in hospitals and surgical centers, effective Aug. 29.