DOJ and Texas Attorney General Reach $10 Million Settlement with Texas Children’s Hospital

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Texas Attorney General’s Office announced a significant $10 million settlement with Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) on Friday. Part of this resolution involves establishing a clinic to help those impacted by sex-denying drugs and surgeries.

The agreement, as detailed by the Justice Department, includes a commitment from TCH to refrain from providing sex-change medications or surgeries to minors, along with the monetary settlement and the creation of a transition clinic. Allegations suggested TCH submitted false invoices to gain insurance coverage for pediatric gender denial surgeries.

“The Department of Justice has all the resources necessary to put an end to what it calls the harmful practice of ‘gender-affirming care’ for children,” stated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. He emphasized that this resolution aims to safeguard vulnerable children, hold healthcare providers accountable, and ensure that those affected receive appropriate care.

According to the DOJ, TCH took considerable steps to evaluate its collaboration throughout the investigation, maintaining a cooperative and proactive stance. The hospital’s commitment to addressing the needs of affected individuals was particularly noted.

Deputy Attorney General Stanley Woodward reiterated the department’s commitment to safeguarding children, signaling that any providers involved in “gender-affirming care” would be closely monitored for compliance with federal laws.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate expressed appreciation for TCH’s transition from being part of the problem to actively seeking solutions, indicating that the settlement reflects the DOJ’s commitment to providing transitional care.

TCH, in its own statement, mentioned the difficult decision to settle, marking the end of a tumultuous period filled with misinformation regarding gender-affirming care. The statement emphasized the hospital’s mission of promoting healthier futures for women and children and its dedication to serving every patient regardless of their financial circumstances.

They noted their extensive efforts over the last three years to work with authorities while responding to what they deemed an unconscionable campaign of falsehoods. The hospital has produced millions of documents and undergone multiple investigations in an attempt to safeguard its integrity.

Reflecting on the decision, TCH stated they would rather focus their resources on medical care and research rather than engage in protracted litigation. They expressed pride in their clinical team’s excellence and commitment to abide by the law while remaining a trusted health resource for families.

The statement, initially published on TCH’s website, was later removed without any explanation. Requests for clarification from the hospital were not answered by the publication deadline.

This settlement contrasts sharply with previous policies under the Trump administration that scrutinized hospitals providing sex-change procedures for minors, a stark shift from the Biden administration’s more supportive stance on gender transition for youth.