Seattle Hospital Refuses to Release Gender-Affirming Care Records as Part of Lawsuit Settlement with Texas

Seattle Children’s Hospital recently settled a lawsuit with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office after a dispute over transgender health care investigations. The hospital filed the lawsuit in response to Paxton’s office’s demands for confidential patient information, including medication records and treatment protocols for Texas children receiving care at the hospital.

The lawsuit, which was filed in December, alleged that Paxton had overreached by seeking information that went beyond state borders. The hospital successfully fought against the demands and ultimately reached a settlement with Paxton’s office. As part of the agreement, Seattle Children’s Hospital agreed to withdraw its registration to transact business in Texas, despite not operating health care facilities or providing gender-affirming care in the state.

Paxton, a staunch conservative known for targeting the rights of transgender individuals, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that Texas will vigorously protect children from what he called “damaging” gender-affirming treatment. The Texas law currently prohibits transgender minors from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers, and transition surgeries, despite medical experts stating that such procedures are rarely performed on children.

The settlement between Seattle Children’s Hospital and Paxton’s office highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding transgender health care rights and the efforts of conservative lawmakers to restrict access to certain medical treatments for transgender individuals.