Texas Children’s Hospital Stops Puberty-Blocking Treatments
Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) in Houston has decided to halt the administration of puberty-blocking drugs to minors. This decision comes after an extensive investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Texas authorities, culminating in a $10 million penalty for the hospital.
The findings of the Texas Office of Health Care Programs Enforcement indicated that TCH improperly billed Texas Medicaid for what was deemed an unlawful “gender transition” intervention, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“As part of this significant agreement, Texas Children’s Hospital will set up a pioneering multidisciplinary clinic aimed at providing health care for those undergoing ‘gender reassignment’ procedures,” Paxton stated.
He added that this transition clinic will support patients in recovering from potentially harmful actions taken by doctors promoting ideologically driven medical procedures.
Services offered through the transition clinic will be funded entirely by Texas Children’s Hospital, allowing patients to access them free of charge for the first five years, Paxton mentioned.
The settlement also mandated the dismissal of five physicians identified as “woke” who had conducted gender reassignment surgeries on minors.
“This is a pivotal moment in our fight against the radical transgender movement. This historic settlement signifies a cultural shift away from extreme ‘gender’ ideology,” Paxton asserted. He complemented the establishment of child-focused clinics and expressed determination to ensure accountability for those he described as “deranged child mutilators.”
In a positive note, Paxton complimented Texas Children’s Hospital for its commitment to correcting its previous actions by forming the first transition clinic to aid victims of what he termed “morally bankrupt” transgender practices. He pledged to investigate hospitals that he believes harm children through questionable medical interventions.
Conversely, Texas Children’s Hospital called the conflict surrounding gender-affirming care a “disingenuous campaign filled with falsehoods and mischaracterizations.”
The hospital shared that it opted to settle with the Attorney General and the DOJ to safeguard its resources against extended litigation, emphasizing a desire to refocus efforts on vital medical treatments and research.
Some prominent advocates within the transgender rights movement condemned the hospital’s agreement. Alejandra Caraballo, a recognized transgender civil rights attorney, criticized the hospital’s leadership publicly, describing their actions as lacking integrity.
However, detransitioner Chloe Cole celebrated the decision, noting it as a significant step for the movement to prevent what she described as child mutilation. “Texas will now have the first clinic aimed at assisting those affected by these brutal procedures,” she shared on social media.
Fox News Digital has reached out for further comments from Texas Children’s Hospital, the Department of Justice, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
