A federal judge last week rejected a request from the US Department of Justice for “an astonishing array” of information from Boston Children’s concerning gender-affirming care for the hospital’s transgender patients.
Reports the Boston Globe:
US District Judge Myong J. Joun granted the hospital’s motion to “quash,” or set aside, the subpoena and dismiss the case, according to a copy of the decision.
Joun cited patient privacy concerns and a “bad faith” premise of the government’s request, which included personnel files and patients’ medical records, the decision said.
“BCH has demonstrated that the subpoena was issued for an improper purpose, motivated only by bad faith,” Joun wrote in a 12-page memorandum of decision.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department reiterated Attorney General Pam Bondi’s words.
“As Attorney General Bondi has made clear, this Department of Justice will use every legal and law enforcement tool available to protect innocent children from being mutilated under the guise of ‘care,’” the spokesperson said in an email Wednesday.
Bondi announced in July that the DOJ had sent more than 20 subpoenas to doctors, hospitals, and clinics nationally that provide gender affirming care. Bondi said the subpoenas were part of investigations into “health care fraud, false statements, and more.”
Boston Children’s Hospital challenged its subpoena in federal court, arguing that it was improper.
A spokesperson said hospital officials had declined to comment on the case until Tuesday.
“Boston Children’s Hospital is grateful for the court’s ruling, which safeguards the privacy of our patients, their families, and the healthcare professionals who provide their care,” Kristen Dattoli, the spokesperson, said in a statement.
“In June 2025, the hospital received an administrative subpoena from the Department of Justice. We moved to quash the subpoena, and the court has now granted that motion, meaning the subpoena is not legally enforceable,” Dattoli said.
“Because our motion was filed under seal, we have refrained from public comment until today’s ruling lifted the seal,” she said. “Access to gender-affirming care is a protected right under Massachusetts law, and we remain committed to providing safe, evidence-based, and compassionate care for every patient and their family.”
Read the complete Boston Globe story here.
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