A major Texas hospital system has agreed to end its controversial pediatric “gender-affirming care” program for minors and establish what officials are calling the nation’s first detransition clinic as part of a historic legal settlement announced by state and federal authorities.
According to LifeSiteNews, Texas Children’s Hospital entered into agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Texas Attorney General’s Office that require the hospital to stop performing transgender-related medical interventions on children, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.
The agreements also reportedly require the firing of five doctors connected to the program, the payment of more than $10 million in damages and civil penalties, and the creation of a new clinic dedicated to helping minors who regret or were harmed by previous transgender medical procedures.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton described the agreement as “a monumental day in the fight to stop the radical transgender movement.”
“This historic settlement reflects an institutional and fundamental cultural shift away from radical ‘gender’ ideology,” Paxton said, according to LifeSiteNews. He added that the agreement would help establish “the first-ever Detransition Clinic” to “reverse the damage caused by the ideologically-motivated physicians who harmed them.”
Paxton also praised the hospital’s decision to change direction, saying, “I applaud Texas Children’s Hospital for changing course and committing to being a part of the solution by agreeing to form a first-of-its kind Detransition Clinic that will help provide free care to those who have been victimized by twisted, morally bankrupt transgender ideology.”
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the federal government intends to aggressively pursue cases involving transgender medical procedures for minors.
“The Justice Department will use every weapon at its disposal to end the destructive and discredited practice of so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ for children,” Blanche said. “Today’s resolution protects vulnerable children, holds providers accountable, and ensures those harmed receive the care they need.”
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward stated that the Department of Justice remains committed to “protecting America’s children” and warned medical providers that federal law would be enforced “where children are put at risk.”
Brett A. Shumate, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, said the hospital’s decision to provide detransitioner care demonstrated that it wanted “to be part of the solution and no longer the problem.”
The case has drawn national attention in part because of the role played by whistleblowers and investigative journalists. According to LifeSiteNews, investigative reporter Christopher Rufo said he worked with Dr. Eithan Haim and nurse Vanessa Sivadge in 2023 to expose the hospital’s pediatric transgender program.
“This is happening because of the courage of Dr. Eithan D Haim and nurse Vanessa Sivadge, who risked it all to stop the mutilation of children in Texas,” Rufo said.
Rufo emphasized that the hospital’s policy changes were more significant than the financial penalties involved.
“The money is the least important part of the agreement,” he said. “TCH has shuttered its gender-medicine program, fired the doctors who performed the surgeries, and established the first-ever detransition clinic in America.”
The developments come amid continuing national debate over transgender medical interventions for minors, with many Catholic leaders and pro-life advocates arguing that children experiencing gender confusion deserve compassionate psychological and spiritual care rather than irreversible medical treatments.
The Catholic Church teaches that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses inherent dignity as male or female. Catholic ethicists have increasingly raised concerns about the long-term physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences of experimental gender interventions on children and adolescents.
Your support brings the truth to the world.
Catholic Online News exists because of donors like you. We are 100% funded by people who believe the world deserves real, uncensored news rooted in faith and truth — not corporate agendas. Your gift ensures millions can continue to access the news they can trust — stories that defend life, faith, family, and freedom.
When truth is silenced, your support speaks louder.
