HHS Investigates Johns Hopkins over Sex Change Drugs for Minors

Federal agency refers hospital system to inspector general over alleged provision of transgender treatments to children

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated an investigation into Johns Hopkins Medicine over the hospital allegedly providing sex change drugs to minors. HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart said the agency has referred Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System, including its transgender health clinics, to the HHS Office of Inspector General for failing to meet recognized standards of healthcare.

Why it matters

The probe comes as the HHS has proposed barring hospitals from providing sex-reassignment procedures to minors as a condition of participating in Medicare and Medicaid. The move highlights the ongoing debate over transgender treatments for children, with the Trump administration opposing such procedures while some Democratic-led states have sued to block the federal restrictions.

The details

According to the report, HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart said the agency has referred Johns Hopkins to the OIG 'for failing to meet recognized standards of healthcare.' The hospital system's website states it provides puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and referrals for gender affirmation surgery to minors. However, a Johns Hopkins spokesperson said the health system does not perform sex change surgeries on minors.

  • On December 18, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it is proposing regulatory actions to bar hospitals from providing sex mutilating drugs and surgeries to minors as a condition of participating in Medicare and Medicaid.
  • In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order called 'Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,' in which he tossed WPATH guidance into the dustbin, deeming it 'junk science.'

The players

Mike Stuart

HHS General Counsel who referred Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System to the HHS Office of Inspector General for investigation.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

HHS Secretary who declared that sex-rejecting procedures for children and adolescents are not safe and not effective.

Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System

A Maryland-based hospital system that allegedly provides sex change drugs and referrals for gender affirmation surgery to minors, according to the HHS investigation.

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)

An organization that has provided guidance on transgender healthcare, which has been criticized by the Trump administration and admonished by the Supreme Court.

Fox Varian

A 22-year-old detransitioner who was awarded $2 million in a lawsuit against her doctors for pushing a double mastectomy on her when she was 16 years old.

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What they’re saying

“Over recent weeks, more than 30 hospitals and hospital systems including some of the largest in the nation have announced they are no longer performing sex-mutilating and sex-rejecting procedures for minors. Those hospital systems are to be commended for making the right decision after making irreversible terrible decisions that harmed and permanently damaged children.”

— Mike Stuart, HHS General Counsel (X)

“Sadly, other hospitals and hospital systems are continuing to perform heinous and horrific acts of intentional permanent harm to minors including, allegedly, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System. We will not stop until every single child is protected from the destruction of the integrity of God's chosen human body.”

— Mike Stuart, HHS General Counsel (X)

“We have received no formal notice of investigation from (Office of the Inspector General). Johns Hopkins providers do not perform gender affirming surgery on minor patients. Our patients remain our highest priority.”

— Johns Hopkins spokesperson (CBS News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Johns Hopkins to continue providing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors while the investigation is ongoing.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the ongoing national debate over transgender treatments for children, with the federal government moving to restrict such procedures while some states have sued to block the restrictions. The outcome could have significant implications for how hospitals and healthcare providers approach gender-affirming care for minors going forward.