Texas Hospital Faces Big Change After State Probe

"The largest children’s hospital in the United States is set to open a new clinic that will help kids reverse gender‑affirming treatments, after the state’s attorney general decided to settle a long investigation. The settlement also means five doctors who performed such procedures will lose their licenses. The hospital, located in Houston, will pay $10 million to the state’s Medicaid program. That money covers charges for treatments that Texas law says minors cannot receive. The investigation looked at how the hospital billed Medicaid, including claims that false codes were used to get paid for prohibited care. Texas authorities say the deal was made after a years‑long probe and that it helps the hospital avoid costly lawsuits. The hospital said it has followed all laws and is closing the case so it can concentrate on treating patients. It also pledged to keep focusing on its mission rather than politics.The settlement is seen as a win for those who oppose gender‑affirming care for minors. The federal Justice Department is looking into similar practices nationwide, and there are ongoing criminal investigations in other states. Under the new agreement, the Houston hospital will create a multidisciplinary clinic that offers free services for five years to help children undo gender‑transition procedures. The plan also includes permanent removal of the doctors’ privileges and a rule that any doctor who breaks the state ban on minor care will automatically lose their license. In February, the attorney general’s office sued another children’s hospital in Fort Worth for treating kids as young as nine with banned procedures. That hospital denies any wrongdoing. The state’s move shows how legal and medical standards can clash, especially when new treatments raise ethical questions. It also highlights the importance of clear rules and oversight in health care.