HHS probing hospital over firing of nurse who blew whistle on minors getting gender treatments

Dr.EthanHaimprovidedtestimonythisweektotheHouseJudiciaryCommitteeconcerninghiswhistleblowerallegationsofTexasChildren’sHospitalcontinuingtransgendertreatmentsonminors. TheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices(HHS)isprobing“amajorpediatricteachinghospital”overtheallegedfiringofanursewhosoughtareligiousexemptiontoavoidadministeringpubertyblockersandcross-sexhormonestochildren. “TheDepartmentwillrobustlyenforcefederallawsprotectingthesecourageouswhistleblowers,includinglawsthatprotecthealthcareprofessionalsfrombeingforcedtoviolatetheirreligiousbeliefsormoralconvictions,”ActingHHSOCRDirectorAnthonyArchevalsaidinastatement. WhileHHShasnotconfirmedthehospital’sidentity,itisbelievedtobeTexasChildren’sHospital(TCH)—thelargestchildren’shospitalintheU.S.—astheinvestigationfollowswhistleblowernurseVanessaSivadge’stestimonyonCapitolHill.SivadgefirstcameforwardpubliclyinJune