FOLLOW US

The U.S. Department of Justice has agreed to pull back a demand that sought access to medical records identifying thousands of transgender minors who received gender-affirming care at a major Los Angeles hospital, according to court filings and statements released this week.

The decision follows mounting legal setbacks for the Trump administration, as federal judges in multiple states have blocked similar efforts aimed at compelling healthcare providers to disclose sensitive patient information related to transgender care.

The subpoena at issue targeted Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and sought records connected to more than 3,000 patients who had received puberty blockers or hormone treatments. The Justice Department said the request was part of a broader investigation into whether federal drug laws had been violated.

Legal Challenge and Settlement

Parents of several patients challenged the subpoena in federal court, arguing that the request violated medical privacy protections and improperly exposed families to political scrutiny. The lawsuit sought to block the government from obtaining identifying details tied to minors’ healthcare decisions.

Under a settlement reached this week, the Justice Department agreed to withdraw portions of the subpoena that sought patient-specific information. The hospital was instructed to redact identifying details from any documents produced, including billing and insurance materials.

The agreement also requires federal officials to notify the plaintiffs’ attorneys if identifying information is received through other means.

Advocates representing the families said the outcome reinforced longstanding protections around medical privacy.

“This affirms that healthcare decisions should remain between families and doctors, not subject to political enforcement actions,” said Cori Racela, executive director of the Western Center on Law & Poverty.

DOJ Maintains Broader Investigation

The Justice Department said it had not fully withdrawn the subpoena but clarified that certain requests were dropped after the hospital indicated it did not possess some of the records sought. Officials said the settlement avoided prolonged litigation while allowing the broader investigation to continue.

A department spokesperson reiterated the administration’s position that it will continue to pursue investigations related to gender-affirming care for minors, citing concerns about patient safety and regulatory compliance.

The subpoenas stem from an executive order signed shortly after President Donald Trump returned to office, directing federal agencies to end support for gender-affirming treatments for minors and prioritize related enforcement actions.