Texas Attorney General Drops Request for Seattle Hospital Records on Transgender Care Amid Settlement
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has withdrawn his request for Seattle Children’s Hospital to hand over records regarding gender-affirming treatment potentially given to children from Texas. This request was made as part of a lawsuit filed by the hospital against Paxton’s office in December.
The settlement includes an agreement for the hospital to withdraw its registration to transact business in Texas. However, a hospital spokesperson emphasized that the hospital does not operate health care facilities or provide gender-affirming care in Texas.
Paxton expressed his intent to continue protecting children from gender-affirming treatment, which he referred to as “damaging.” However, medical experts have stated that such surgical procedures are rarely performed on children.
This development comes amid a surge in legislation in Democratic-led states aimed at providing refuge to minors seeking gender-affirming treatment. In contrast, Texas has enacted laws restricting or banning such care for transgender minors.
The lawsuit filed by Seattle Children’s Hospital was dismissed by an Austin judge on Friday, following the settlement agreement between the parties.
