Texas Children’s Hospital pauses hormone therapies for gender-affirming care after Abbott and Paxton directive

therapies — a move that could affect thousands of transgender children in Texas — in response to a controversial directive from state leaders to investigate medical treatments for transgender youth as child abuse. The nation’s largest pediatric hospital revealed the decision Friday, dealing a blow to parents of transgender children who were seeking access to medicine that slows the onset of puberty or hormone treatments that help older children develop into bodies that match their identities. “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. “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.”

Armed with a nonbinding opinion by Attorney General Ken Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott last month ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate parents who seek gender-affirming care as child abusers. Earlier this week, a Travis County district judge stopped the state agency from investigating the parents of a 16-year-old who underwent gender-affirming care. But the court stopped short of blocking such investigations statewide — at least for now. Paxton’s opinion followed multiple failed attempts by Republican state lawmakers in the GOP-led Texas Legislature to pass measures that would punish parents and health care providers who support such interventions. Abbott and Paxton, who are Republicans, are both seeking re-election and made these announcements shortly before Tuesday’s GOP primary.