The Justice Department announced Connecticut Children's Medical Center has agreed to stop providing gender-affirming care to minors, becoming the third children's hospital nationally to reach such a resolution.
The resolution stems from the Justice Department's ongoing national investigation into the provision of gender-affirming care to minors, which the department refers to as "sex-rejecting procedures." Under the agreement, Connecticut Children's has committed not to administer puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones, or perform related surgeries, on minors.
Connecticut Children's also agreed to pay a monetary penalty and dedicate an additional $500,000 in medical care for individuals affected by the consequences of gender-affirming care.
The United States acknowledged that Connecticut Children's took significant steps entitling it to credit for cooperation with the investigation, remaining cooperative, proactive, and solution-driven throughout, including through its financial commitment to restorative care.
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said, "The Department of Justice will stop at nothing to protect America's children. This resolution is a reminder to hospitals, medical providers, and pharmaceutical companies that the Justice Department will vigorously enforce federal law, especially where the lives of children are endangered."
The resolution was achieved through a coordinated effort involving the Civil Division's Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch and Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
"As with Texas Children's and Cleveland Clinic before it, I am encouraged when leading institutions like Connecticut Children's agree to be part of the solution and no longer the problem," said Brett Shumate, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. "But while we can be grateful when we arrive at such positive resolutions, we cannot and will not rest in our pursuit of justice for the victims of these discredited practices."
The claims resolved in the agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. Connecticut Children's has denied all allegations.
Ryan Raybould, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said, "This resolution reaffirms our unwavering commitment to safeguarding America's children. When unsafe medical practices put minors at risk or violate federal law, the Department will act swiftly and decisively to protect them and hold every institution accountable."
Today's announcement follows similar agreements the Justice Department reached with Texas Children's Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, part of its ongoing national investigation into gender-affirming care provided to minors.
