HHS Pushes to Investigate Johns Hopkins Over Alleged Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

Federal government targets Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health and Emerge Gender and Sexuality Clinic

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pushing to investigate Johns Hopkins Hospital and its Health System, accusing the institution of "continuing to perform heinous and horrific acts of intentional permanent harm to minors" through gender-affirming treatment at its transgender health clinics. HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart has referred Hopkins to the Office of Inspector General, as dozens of other hospital systems have agreed to halt such treatments for minors amid federal pressure.

Why it matters

This investigation reflects the ongoing national debate over the provision of gender-affirming care for transgender and gender non-conforming youth, with the federal government taking an increasingly aggressive stance against these medical treatments. The outcome could have significant implications for access to this type of care at major medical institutions.

The details

HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart specifically targeted the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health and the Emerge Gender and Sexuality Clinic, accusing them of "sex-mutilating and sex-rejecting procedures" that are "incredibly damaging and contrary to acceptable standards of healthcare." This investigative referral comes as other hospital systems, such as Children's Minnesota and the University of Utah, have agreed to end gender-affirming treatment for minors under federal pressure. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has also become the first major medical association to publicly disapprove of certain forms of gender transition surgeries for minors.

  • On Tuesday evening, February 4, 2026, HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart referred Johns Hopkins to the Office of Inspector General.

The players

Mike Stuart

The General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who has referred Johns Hopkins to the Office of Inspector General over alleged gender-affirming care for minors.

Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System

A major academic medical center in Baltimore, Maryland, which operates the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health and the Emerge Gender and Sexuality Clinic, which are the focus of the HHS investigation.

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What they’re saying

“We will not stop until every single child is protected from the destruction of the integrity of God's chosen human body. Sex-rejecting procedures are incredibly damaging and contrary to acceptable standards of healthcare.”

— Mike Stuart, HHS General Counsel (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The Office of Inspector General will now investigate the allegations against Johns Hopkins regarding its gender-affirming care for minors.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the ongoing national debate over the provision of gender-affirming care for transgender and gender non-conforming youth, with the federal government taking an increasingly aggressive stance against these medical treatments. The outcome could have significant implications for access to this type of care at major medical institutions across the country.