Medical Records of Over 3,000 Transgender Youth Protected from Overreaching Federal Subpoena After Legal Challenge
DOJ Settlement Marks Unprecedented Win for Health Privacy and Constitutional Rights
January 23, 2026, Washington, D.C.— The Department of Justice has withdrawn its subpoena demanding the medical records of over 3,000 transgender youth at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and entered into a settlement agreement with a group of patients and their families, represented by Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), Western Center on Law and Poverty, and Impact Fund.
The subpoena, served this summer to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, sought sweeping access to minors' most sensitive medical records—including mental health treatment notes, prescribing information, and other deeply personal details—related to gender-affirming care. L4GG and co-counsel filed a motion to quash the subpoena on behalf of a putative class of affected patients and families in federal court in the Central District of California, arguing it violated patients' constitutional right to privacy and exceeded the government's legal authority.
“This is a massive victory for every family that refused to be intimidated into backing down. The government’s attempt to rifle through children’s medical records was unconstitutional from the start. Today’s settlement affirms what we’ve said all along: these families have done nothing wrong, and their children’s privacy deserves protection.”
“This settlement is a crucial affirmation that health care decisions belong in exam rooms, not government subpoenas. Youth, families, and medical providers have constitutional rights to privacy and dignity. No one’s private health records should be turned into political ammunition—especially children. This ruling protects sensitive medical records, upholds the professional integrity of providers, and reinforces that families seeking lawful care are not suspects—they’re entitled to safety and confidentiality.”
The settlement agreement protects the anonymity of the affected youth and families while securing the withdrawal of the government's demands for their medical records — and those of their fellow patients.
“We are so proud to represent our clients who stepped up to protect their families and thousands of others by being plaintiffs in this lawsuit. Their bravery helps protect all of us from unlawful and discriminatory government intrusion into private health care decisions between patients, families, and doctors.”
Gender-affirming care remains legal in many states and is endorsed by every major medical association, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Endocrine Society. The investigation's underlying premise—that lawful medical treatment becomes fraudulent based solely on the identity of the patient receiving it—has been widely rejected by legal experts and medical professionals.
“Parents who follow medical advice and seek evidence-based treatment for their children should never be subjected to government harassment. This settlement sends a clear message: constitutional rights matter, and families seeking legal medical care for their children are entitled to privacy and dignity.”