“The mission of Texas Children’s Hospital is to create a healthier future for all children, including transgender children, within the bounds of the law,” the hospital said in a statement shared with the news outlet. “After assessing the attorney general’s and governor’s actions, Texas Children’s Hospital paused hormone-related prescription therapies for gender-affirming services. This step was taken to safeguard our healthcare professionals and impacted families from potential criminal legal ramifications.”
The governor, backed by a nonbinding opinion by Attorney General Ken Paxton, in February ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate parents seeking gender-affirming services for their children as child abusers. HHS published guidance March 2 that assured providers that HIPAA prohibits disclosure of gender-affirming care without an individual’s consent in most circumstances.
Citing the American Medical Association, the Houston Chronicle reported gender-affirming care is tied to reduced rates of suicide attempts, a decrase in depression and anxiety, reduced drug use and improved HIV medication adherence.
The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement Feb. 28 opposing efforts to criminalize gender-affirming care after Mr. Abbott’s directive.
“This harmful directive leaves families seeking gender-affirming care in Texas with nowhere to turn. Pediatrictians could be investigated for child abuse by simply providing evidence-based, medically necessary services,” said Moira Szilagyi, MD, PhD, president of the pediatricians’ academy. “Gender-affirming care is not abuse. Politics has no place in the exam room. All children deserve access to the care they need.”
