Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that Seattle Children’s Hospital will be withdrawing from conducting business in Texas following an agreement reached between the institution and the state. This decision comes after an investigation was initiated into the hospital's provision of "gender transition" treatments to Texas children at its Seattle, Washington facility.
Attorney General Paxton expressed his concerns regarding the situation, stating, "Seattle Children’s Hospital appeared to break Texas law and initially tried to evade accountability when investigated." Paxton further emphasized the importance of medical providers in Texas adhering to state laws, particularly those aimed at safeguarding minors from potentially harmful interventions.
The investigation, which began in November 2023, saw Seattle Children’s initially opting to sue Texas instead of complying with requests for information. However, the hospital has now agreed to cease conducting business in Texas by withdrawing its business registration, thereby avoiding further legal actions.
Paxton reiterated the state's commitment to protecting children from what he described as "damaging, experimental ‘gender transition’ treatments that can have life-altering negative consequences." The agreement between the Attorney General's office and Seattle Children’s marks a significant development in ensuring compliance with Texas laws regarding medical interventions for minors.
For those interested in reviewing the details of the agreement, further information can be accessed by clicking here.