Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into the Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin over its gender-affirming care for minors.
Paxton has not provided any details on the nature of the alleged potentially illegal activity that he is seeking evidence for, but the investigation follows his previous attempts to designate gender-affirming care for minors as child abuse.
Texas is one of several Republican-led states seeking to restrict or ban gender-affirming care for minors, with a bill currently being debated in the state's legislature.
The investigation by Paxton is part of a wider effort to clamp down on the medical care and rights of transgender people in the state.
Hospital Investigation and Project Veritas Report
The Texas Attorney General's office investigation seeks information from Dell Children's Hospital about its policies on puberty blockers and documents identifying patients referred for treatment or counseling, as reported by NBC.
The office of the attorney general has made a request to inspect hospital records in order to verify whether any state regulations have been breached or if any false information has been given to patients and their guardians.
The investigation by Paxton comes after a report by the right-wing group Project Veritas alleged improper medical practices at the hospital and several others around the country.
The report, which bills itself as a news organization, has been criticized for its lack of journalistic integrity and its use of deceptive tactics.
However, Project Veritas has a video recording of an alleged Dell Children's employee saying patients there start transitioning at 8 and 9 years old.
Dell Children's Medical Center and Gender-Affirming Care
Dell Children's Medical Center operates the hospital under the non-profit Catholic health system Ascension and is affiliated with the University of Texas.
The medical group has stated that it prohibits surgery and prescribes hormone therapy for the treatment of gender dysphoria in children.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, a statement from a hospital representative, Ann Howser, said that the Dell Children's Medical Center would review any allegations of care that may have been inconsistent with those positions.
According to the spokesperson, the center regards any accusations about the care offered in their clinics with the utmost seriousness.
Their organization forbids performing surgery and recommends hormone therapy for the management of gender dysphoria in minors.
Even though their pediatric and adolescent medicine clinics do not offer these forms of treatment, they provide a secure and hospitable environment where children can obtain other types of primary care and treatment, such as medical attention for illnesses, routine check-ups, and injuries.
The center also stated that it is carrying out a comprehensive evaluation of this matter. While declining to provide further details on the investigation, Howser emphasized the hospital's commitment to delivering excellent care. It also said it would take appropriate action if any care was found to be inconsistent with hospital policy.
The Importance of Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
According to the Associated Press, at present, Texas law does not prohibit minors from receiving gender-affirming care, however, Attorney General Paxton is attempting to categorize it as a form of child abuse.
A minimum of 16 states have implemented legislation that limits or prohibits minors from obtaining gender-affirming healthcare.
The investigation by Paxton and the attempts to restrict or ban gender-affirming care for minors in Texas and other states highlight the ongoing debate over the medical care and rights of transgender people.
Studies have demonstrated that gender-affirming treatment, which may involve hormone therapy and surgical procedures, can be a valuable and efficient approach to treating gender dysphoria.
This condition arises when an individual experiences anguish or discomfort due to a discrepancy between their gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth.
Transgender youth are at a heightened risk of mental health issues and suicide, and access to gender-affirming care can help reduce these risks.
Restricting or banning this care can have serious consequences for the health and well-being of transgender minors.
