Judge blocks Trump administration's demand for Rhode Island hospital's records of transgender kids

"A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's sweeping demands for confidential transgender patient information from Rhode Island's largest hospital that provides gender-affirming care to minors. U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy's Wednesday ruling is the latest setback for the U.S. Department of Justice, where at least seven other federal courts have agreed to quash or limit the expansive civil subpoenas sent to more than 20 doctors and hospitals last summer."

"McElroy's decision also echoed similar concerns raised by judges surrounding the expansive scope of the subpoenas, describing the Justice Department as having "immense prosecutorial authority and discretion" but no longer trustworthy it will enforce its power fairly and honestly. "DOJ has proven unworthy of this trust at every point in this case," McElroy wrote."

"According to the subpoenas, the DOJ had demanded Rhode Island Hospital hand over the birth dates, Social Security numbers and addresses of every patient who received transgender care over the past five years. It also included instructions to provide all documents detailing adverse side effects in minor patients who received gender-related care, assessments that formed the basis for prescribing puberty blockers or hormone therapy, as well as patient intake forms and guardian authorization."

"The Justice Department has repeatedly argued that the information sought in the subpoenas is needed to investigate possible fraud or unlawful off-label promotion of drugs. Most recently during a hearing in Rhode Island, the DOJ said that the investigation was taking place in the Northern District of Texas, where the court's chief judge ordered Rhode Island Hospital to comply with the subpoena before McElroy's decision voided the subpoena."

A federal judge blocked sweeping federal demands for confidential transgender patient information from Rhode Island Hospital, which provides gender-affirming care to minors. The ruling followed similar decisions in other federal courts that limited or quashed expansive civil subpoenas sent to doctors and hospitals. The judge cited concerns about the scope of the subpoenas and questioned whether the Justice Department could be trusted to enforce its authority fairly and honestly. The subpoenas sought birth dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses for patients who received transgender care over five years. They also demanded documents about adverse side effects, assessments used to prescribe puberty blockers or hormone therapy, and patient intake forms and guardian authorization. The Justice Department claimed the information was needed to investigate possible fraud or unlawful off-label promotion of drugs.

Read at Boston.com