Cleveland Clinic Bans Transgender Procedures for Minors
The Cleveland Clinic has agreed to halt transgender-related medical procedures for patients under 18 as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. As part of this deal, the hospital will also pay $308,000 over allegations of false billing related to misdiagnosed procedures and will allocate an additional $2 million to support individuals who detransition after these services.
Per the settlement, the clinic is banned from administering puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and other transgender-related services to minors, which the agreement refers to as “gender-denial procedures.” It’s not just the services; hospitals are also prohibited from referring minors for these procedures, coordinating care with other organizations, or running any facilities that offer such services.
Notably, Ohio law already restricts transgender-related medical interventions for minors.
This agreement addresses claims that the Cleveland Clinic submitted inaccurate diagnosis codes to Ohio Medicaid for transgender services delivered to minors since January 1, 2020. Officials noted that the clinic opted for a vague endocrine disorder code instead of one that would better describe the actual procedure.
The Cleveland Clinic characterized this as “an unintentional coding issue” affecting only a small number of patients and expressed satisfaction in resolving the matter. They emphasized their commitment to providing quality care while adhering to all relevant laws.
In the context of this settlement, the DOJ noted it stems from an ongoing nationwide investigation into healthcare providers offering transgender-related services to minors. Deputy Attorney General Stanley Woodward stated, “The Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to protecting America’s children.”
Just last month, the DOJ announced that Texas Children’s Hospital had reached a settlement involving a $10 million fine and restrictions on providing certain medical treatments to minors. This includes opening a new clinic dedicated solely to transsexual treatment, marking a significant development.
Woodward emphasized that the resolution with the Cleveland Clinic illustrates a firm stand on enforcing federal laws regarding child protection. It appears the clinic has shown noteworthy cooperation throughout the investigation, responding proactively to resolve the issues raised.
Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate mentioned that investigations into healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies involved in transgender procedures for minors are ongoing. “This resolution is just a step in our broader mission,” Shumate remarked. “We will persist in our efforts to safeguard America’s children and hold accountable those who exploit vulnerable populations.”
