Federal subpoenas for transgender care records raise medical privacy concerns and put providers in a legal bind – a health law expert explains what’s at stake

On Sept. 10, 2025, a federal judge blocked the Department of Justice’s attempt to subpoena medical records and other private health information on minors receiving hormone therapy and other gender affirming care at Boston Children’s Hospital.

The move is the first public legal decision after the Department of Justice, in July, issued more than 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics treating transgender patients under age 19.

A subpoena to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,…