2 weeks ago
Trump Asks DOJ to Probe Hospitals Over Trans Health Coding
The president's team asked special government investigators to check on more than 200 hospitals and clinics.
They want to know if these places used the wrong billing codes, or paperwork, to get money for certain medicines.
The medicines help some kids who feel their body does not match the person they are inside.
The government says the billing paperwork may not follow the rules.
Big hospitals like Boston Children's Hospital are on the list, along with some big pharmacies and Planned Parenthood clinics.
The government also made a new rule saying it will not pay for some of these treatments for kids.
The investigators will look carefully at paperwork from the past ten years.
If a hospital or clinic broke the law, it could face big penalties.
Some people say these medicines are also used to treat other health problems, which is part of why the paperwork is being checked.
The Trump administration referred more than 200 hospitals and clinics to the Justice Department and HHS Inspector General over suspected violations tied to pediatric gender-affirming care billing.
The referral is based on an HHS report identifying 'potentially anomalous billing patterns' over a ten-year period, including claims for puberty blockers and gender dysphoria diagnoses.
Boston Children's Hospital, Cigna's Accredo Health Group, and Planned Parenthood affiliates are among the institutions named.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made the Aug. 12 referral, asking the HHS Inspector General to 'swiftly evaluate' it.
Vice President JD Vance asked the DOJ to examine whether providers violated the False Claims Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or other fraud laws.
- Who
- The Trump administration, including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vice President JD Vance, referred more than 200 hospitals and clinics to the Justice Department and the HHS Inspector General.
- What
- A referral seeking investigations into possible federal law violations related to pediatric gender-affirming care, citing potentially anomalous billing patterns over a ten-year period.
- Where
- United States, involving federal agencies including the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services.
- When
- Aug. 12, the date of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s referral letter, which drew on an HHS report released that week.
- Why
- The administration says providers may have used other billing codes, such as those for endocrine disorders or precocious puberty, to mask billing for pediatric gender dysphoria treatment.
Key facts
- Government action
- Referral of over 200 hospitals and clinics for investigation
- Recipients
- U.S. Department of Justice and HHS Inspector General
- Named institutions
- Boston Children's Hospital, Cigna's Accredo Health Group, Planned Parenthood affiliates
- Key officials
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Vice President JD Vance; Attorney General Todd Blanche
- Referral date
- Aug. 12 (letter date)
- Billing data period
- Ten years
- Laws cited
- False Claims Act, Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and other fraud statutes
- Related action
- HHS finalized a rule restricting federal Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for minors
Quotes
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Secretary of Health and Human Services
“When providers miscode treatment in order to secure insurance coverage for gender‑transitioning interventions that insurance would not otherwise cover, they should be held accountable. If they have done so intentionally, thereby perpetrating a fraud on Medicaid or on private insurers, they should go to prison.”
livemint.com
“Given the seriousness of these potential violations, HHS requests that HHS OIG swiftly evaluate this referral.”
livemint.com
Sources
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