Attorney General Ken Paxton's office is investigating claims that Texas Children's Hospital in Houston is treating children related to gender transition. This is the second probe into this issue, following the Texas Legislature's move to explicitly outlaw gender-affirming treatment for kids. Gender-affirming care includes hormone therapy, puberty blockers, surgery, and "socially transitioning"—using alternative pronouns and clothing differently. The Texas Legislature recently approved a measure prohibiting children from obtaining such medical care, which will likely take effect in September once Governor Greg Abbott announces his signing.
Paxton has attempted to prevent hospitals from offering these therapies by using his position, citing claims from a hidden camera video probe by Project Veritas and launching a similar inquiry into Dell Children's Hospital in Austin. Dell Children's called parents to inform them that their physicians had left the adolescent health clinic and their appointments had been canceled.
Texas Children's is now the subject of investigation by Paxton's agency. Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee has called for Texas Children's to fire or terminate the contract of anyone found to have leaked medical records in violation of federal patient privacy laws. The story makes the accusation that Texas Children's is being coy about offering these therapies rather than breaking any laws at the moment.
Paxton also brought up his argument that giving a youngster care that is gender affirming is maltreatment. Abbott used Paxton's nonbinding legal advice from the previous year as justification to order the state's child welfare department to look into the parents of trans teens. The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the agency made a mistake, allowing Paxton or Abbott to determine agency policy.
Paxton has attempted to prevent hospitals from offering these therapies by using his position, citing claims from a hidden camera video probe by Project Veritas and launching a similar inquiry into Dell Children's Hospital in Austin. Dell Children's called parents to inform them that their physicians had left the adolescent health clinic and their appointments had been canceled.
Texas Children's is now the subject of investigation by Paxton's agency. Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee has called for Texas Children's to fire or terminate the contract of anyone found to have leaked medical records in violation of federal patient privacy laws. The story makes the accusation that Texas Children's is being coy about offering these therapies rather than breaking any laws at the moment.
Paxton also brought up his argument that giving a youngster care that is gender affirming is maltreatment. Abbott used Paxton's nonbinding legal advice from the previous year as justification to order the state's child welfare department to look into the parents of trans teens. The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the agency made a mistake, allowing Paxton or Abbott to determine agency policy.
