WASHINGTON (WKRC) – The Cleveland Clinic has agreed to end youth transgender care and has agreed to commit millions for detransition care.
According to a press release issued by the United States Department of Justice, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation has agreed to stop providing gender-related medical treatments to minors and dedicate millions of dollars toward care for people seeking to reverse or address the effects of those treatments.
The agreement is part of an ongoing federal investigation into what the Justice Department describes as violations of federal law related to medical interventions for transgender minors. The settlement follows a similar agreement reached last month between the Justice Department and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cleveland Clinic will no longer perform or offer puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or other gender-related medical treatments to patients under 18. The commitment is expected to remain in place for decades, according to the Justice Department.
The Ohio-based health system also agreed to pay $308,000 to resolve allegations that it submitted false billing claims to public and private insurers in connection with treatments provided to minors. Federal officials said the settlement does not include any admission of wrongdoing.
In addition, Cleveland Clinic committed $2 million to provide medical care for detransitioners — individuals who seek treatment after previously undergoing gender-related medical interventions. The funds will be used to provide services regardless of a patient’s insurance coverage or ability to pay.
“The Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to protecting America’s children,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in a statement. He said the agreement sends a message that the department will enforce federal law when it believes minors are placed at risk.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said the settlement combines an end to the treatments with investment in care for those who later experience negative consequences.
Federal officials noted that Cleveland Clinic cooperated with investigators throughout the inquiry and received credit for its cooperation. The Justice Department said the health system was proactive and worked toward a resolution during the investigation.
The agreement was reached in coordination with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Last month, Texas Children’s Hospital reached a similar settlement with the Justice Department. Under that agreement, the hospital agreed to pay a $10 million penalty, establish a clinic focused on detransition care and permanently cease providing gender-related medical treatments to minors.
The Justice Department said investigations into providers and companies involved in such treatments remain ongoing and are being led by attorneys in the department’s Civil Division.
The claims resolved through the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. Cleveland Clinic denied the allegations.