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.