Federal Investigation Targets Potential Genital Mutilation Violations and False Claims Act Breaches
A federal investigation is underway, with the FBI reportedly scrutinizing three prominent children’s hospitals – Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – for potential violations of a federal law against genital mutilation in connection with pediatric sex-change surgeries and treatments.
The investigation, spurred by an April 22 memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi, signals a significant escalation in the legal and political battle surrounding gender-affirming care for minors.
Bondi’s directive to attorneys general across the nation urges the pursuit of cases under a federal statute that criminalizes female genital mutilation on individuals under 18, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 10 years per count.
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In addition to potential genital mutilation charges, the memo also instructs the FBI to investigate possible violations of the False Claims Act, specifically targeting healthcare providers who may be billing Medicaid for other procedures while actually conducting transgender surgeries.
This intensified scrutiny follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 28, which prioritized such cases for the Attorney General. To further bolster these efforts, Attorney General Bondi has announced the formation of a “Coalition Against Child Mutilation,” designed to coordinate with state attorneys general in building cases against hospitals and providers allegedly flouting these laws.
Healthcare watchdog group Do No Harm has applauded the federal actions. “We applaud Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI for launching criminal investigations into these hospitals,” stated Stanley Goldfarb, Chair of Do No Harm. “Children’s hospitals should be places where sick children can receive high-quality and evidence-based care, not laboratories where activist doctors experiment on kids.”
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Do No Harm identified the three hospitals under FBI scrutiny as among the top dozen American hospitals with the highest volume of sex-change-related treatments, surgeries, and hormone and puberty blocker prescriptions in children. Their analysis reportedly uncovered $119 million flowing to hospitals for sex-change treatments for minors between 2019 and 2023.
The federal investigation comes amidst shifting policies at some of the targeted institutions.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which announced in February its intention to cease transgender treatments, faced a challenge from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who warned such a move could violate the state’s nondiscrimination laws. Despite this, the hospital is set to permanently close its Center for Transyouth Health and Development in July.
Children’s Hospital Colorado, while continuing to provide puberty blockers and hormone treatments to minors, has reportedly stated it has “never” provided transgender surgeries for those under 18, instead making external referrals.
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Meanwhile, Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) continues to operate its Gender Multispecialty Service program. While the hospital restricts surgeries to patients over 18, it reportedly offers minors hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and external referrals for surgical procedures.
“We are here to affirm, uplift, and advocate for transgender and gender diverse youth, and we remain committed to doing all we can to support their care and well-being,” said BCH in a statement.
The ongoing FBI investigation and the formation of the Coalition Against Child Mutilation signal a significant legal battle ahead, with potential far-reaching implications for pediatric gender-affirming care across the United States.
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