Cassidy Expands Probe to 2 Rhode Island Providers Over Minor Gender Care and $6.3 Billion in Federal Funding
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 14
Cassidy Expands Probe to 2 Rhode Island Providers Over Minor Gender Care and $6.3 Billion in Federal Funding
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 14
Two Rhode Island providers — Thundermist Health Center and Hasbro Children’s Hospital — were added to Sen. Bill Cassidy’s inquiry over alleged gender transition-related services for patients under 19.
Cassidy also pressed HRSA to say whether federal grants or liability protections helped cover puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, surgical referrals or related care, and whether taxpayers could bear costs when former patients sue.
His letters point to the Federal Tort Claims Act framework, under which some federally backed health centers can be treated as Public Health Service employees and defended by the Justice Department in malpractice cases.
Thundermist drew added scrutiny because 66% of its fiscal 2024 grants and contributions revenue came from HHS and HRSA, while Cassidy cited a Rhode Island lawsuit alleging malpractice, negligence and lack of informed consent.
The expanded probe comes days before a Senate HELP Committee hearing on pediatric gender-transition procedures, with Cassidy demanding HRSA answers by May 28 on funding eligibility, enforcement actions and any taxpayer-funded claim payouts.
With medical guidance and federal law at odds, how can families navigate irreversible treatments for minors?
Could federal liability shields for doctors make taxpayers responsible for millions in medical malpractice claims?