Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit against a physician and a major hospital system, alleging they violated state law by continuing to provide gender related medical treatments to minors after Texas banned such procedures.
The lawsuit targets Dr. Jason Jarin and Children’s Health System of Texas. According to the complaint, the defendants continued prescribing puberty blockers and cross sex hormones to minors after Senate Bill 14 took effect on September 1, 2023. The law prohibits so called sex transitioning medical interventions for individuals under 18.
Paxton accused the doctor of knowingly defying state law and committing billing fraud in the process. He alleged that certain medications were billed under alternative diagnostic codes and that drugs were prescribed under different medical justifications in order to continue treatment. The lawsuit also claims that state insurance programs, including Medicaid, were improperly billed.
“I will use every legal tool available to ensure radical gender activists like Jarin face justice for hurting our kids,” Paxton said. He further argued that experimental transition procedures on minors are illegal and unethical under Texas law.
The complaint outlines what it describes as a “wean protocol” developed after the law went into effect. According to the state, the protocol allowed some minors to taper off puberty blockers and cross sex hormones over a period of years. Paxton contends this approach functioned as a workaround designed to prolong treatment rather than comply with the new statute.
Children’s Health said in a statement that its top priority is patient well being and that it complies with all applicable local, state, and federal health care laws. The organization declined further comment due to the ongoing litigation.
Senate Bill 14 was passed in 2023 and bars physicians from providing puberty blockers, cross sex hormones, and certain surgical procedures to minors for the purpose of gender transition. Supporters argue the measure protects children from irreversible medical interventions, while opponents contend it restricts access to what they describe as medically necessary care.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act and the Texas Business and Commerce Code. State officials claim the defendants conspired to subvert compliance with SB 14 while continuing to seek reimbursement from Texas Medicaid. The case could potentially draw federal scrutiny due to the Medicaid related allegations, though no federal action has been announced.
The post Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Doctor Over Alleged Violations of Ban on Gender Treatments for Minors appeared first on Real News Now.
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