Texas AG launches investigation into Austin hospital over gender transition procedures on young children

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FIRST ON FOX: Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching an investigation into the Dell Children’s Medical Center over "gender transitioning" procedures on children. 

"It is deeply disturbing, and there is no place for it in Texas. Along these lines, there have been a number of recent reports about potentially illegal activity at Dell Children’s Medical Center, and this investigation aims to uncover the truth," Attorney General Ken Paxton said.

The investigation is the latest push by Republicans to probe hospitals providing sex change treatments, sometimes called "gender-affirming" care, to minors.

"There are countless heartbreaking stories of young children who have been convinced to undergo experimental, life-altering procedures and are now filled with regret and health challenges," Paxton told Fox News Digital. "That is an absolute tragedy, and it cannot continue."

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launches investigation into Austin children's medical center over ‘gender transitioning’ procedures on children (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

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Paxton's legal action follows a report from Project Veritas, which appeared to show the Dell Children’s Medical Center admitted to having patients "starting as young as eight, nine" who receive gender-transitioning care. 

"In regards to prescribing [puberty blockers], that’s up to the prescriber’s discretion. And they might just require a couple of appointments just to see," the Dell Children’s Center social worker told an undercover Project Veritas reporter. "It might be appropriate after one. It’s not something that we want to gate-keep."

A spokesperson for the Dell Children's Medical Center told Fox News Digital after publication that it is "conducting a thorough review of this situation."

  (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Following the report, Texas Republicans Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, wrote a letter to the Dell Children’s Center requesting answers about the hospital’s funding and "gender dysphoria" treatments. 

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"We, along with millions of Texans, find it deeply concerning that DCMC is providing experimental, unproven, and dangerous medical procedures to young children," the letter read. "Rather than attempting the impossible and permanently marring children—either through chemical experimentation or the amputation of perfectly healthy organs—DCMC should seek to help young Texans by assisting them in accepting the truth about their bodies."

Woman holding sign with gender pronouns and symbols near white brick wall (iStock)

Other states have moved in the opposite direction, advancing gender transition procedures. In Washington state, Senate Bill 5599 was passed to "remove barriers to accessing temporary, licensed shelter accommodations for youth" and provide "protected health services." In Oregon, House Bill 2002 proposes insurance coverage for "any combination of gender-affirming treatment procedures."

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The American Civil Liberties Union has also called moves by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to advance restrictions on gender-transitioning procedures a part of an "ongoing fight to erase transgender people from public life."

"We cannot allow kids to be indoctrinated by ‘transgender’ activists who care more about left-wing ideology than the long-term health of children," Paxton said.

In response to Fox News Digital's request for comment, the Dell Children's Medical Center provided Fox News Digital with the following statement: 

"As advocates for the best possible care and treatment of minors, Dell Children’s Medical Group takes seriously any allegations about the care provided in our clinics. Our organization prohibits surgery and prescribing hormone therapy for the treatment of gender dysphoria for children. While our pediatric and adolescent medicine clinics do not provide these interventions, we do provide a safe and welcoming place for children to receive other forms of primary care and treatment, including treatment of illness and injuries, well-baby visits, and school physicals. We are conducting a thorough review of this situation. To the extent that care provided at our clinic may have been inconsistent with our organization’s position on this important issue, we intend to take appropriate action."