Texas AG drops request for Seattle hospital records in transgender treatment lawsuit settlement

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has decided to drop the request for a Seattle hospital to provide records concerning gender-affirming treatment potentially received by children from Texas. The request was part of a lawsuit settlement announced on Monday, following a legal dispute initiated by Seattle Children's Hospital against Paxton's office in December. This legal action arose in response to Paxton's alleged investigation beyond state borders into transgender health care, reflecting his staunch conservative stance and involvement in driving GOP initiatives targeting the rights of transgender individuals. The lawsuit filed by the Seattle hospital effectively resisted the intrusive demands for confidential patient information and was dismissed by a judge in Austin on Friday, signifying the resolution of the conflict between the parties.

Texas is among the states that have implemented laws restricting or prohibiting gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. The lawsuit included a letter from Paxton’s office requesting records that identify medication given to children from Texas, the number of Texas children who underwent treatment and documents outlining the standard protocol used for treatment. The settlement agreement stipulates that Seattle Children’s Hospital will withdraw its registration to transact business in Texas, despite the hospital clarifying that it does not operate health care facilities or provide gender-affirming care in the state.

Response from Seattle Children’s Hospital

Seattle Children’s Hospital stated that they have a limited number of employees working remotely from Texas, who are not involved in gender-affirming care, and do not advertise their services in Texas. In response to Paxton’s remarks, the hospital spokesperson emphasized that their decision to withdraw from Texas was driven by the inquiry, asserting that they do not conduct health care operations or offer gender-affirming care in the state.

Paxton highlighted the state's commitment to safeguarding children from gender-affirming treatment, expressing concerns about its potential harm, in a news release on Monday. The existing Texas law prohibits transgender minors from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers, and transition surgeries, despite medical experts emphasizing the rarity of such surgical procedures in children.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law aimed at protecting minors seeking gender-affirming care, as part of a broader legislative trend in Democratic-led states to provide support and protection to individuals seeking gender-affirming treatment.