DALLAS — Federal prosecutors have dismissed charges against Dr. Eithan Haim, a Dallas-based surgeon accused of illegally accessing private patient information related to transgender care at Texas Children’s Hospital. The decision, announced Friday in U.S. District Court in Houston, comes amid President Donald Trump’s administration taking swift action to roll back transgender rights in its first week.
Allegations and Controversy
Prosecutors alleged that Dr. Haim, 34, accessed confidential medical records of pediatric patients who were not under his care and shared them with a conservative activist. The information was reportedly used in a story claiming Texas Children’s Hospital provided gender-affirming care to minors in secret.
Haim, who worked at the hospital during his residency, had reactivated his login in 2023 and began accessing records, according to the indictment. He faced charges of wrongfully obtaining individually identifiable health information, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Haim maintained his innocence, stating in June, “We’re going to fight this tooth and nail, stand up for whistleblowers everywhere.”
Legal and Ethical Implications
The dismissal marks the end of a high-profile case intertwined with the politically charged debate over transgender care. Haim’s attorney, Ryan Patrick, said the outcome validates their defense, adding they are “very happy for Dr. Haim and his family that this ordeal is finally over.”
Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the country’s largest pediatric medical centers, ceased offering gender-affirming care in 2022 amid growing political pressure, though it was legal in Texas at the time. A state law banning transgender care for minors took effect in September 2023.
In a statement, the hospital reiterated its commitment to lawful care and deferred to the Justice Department’s decision.
Political Context
The case’s dismissal coincides with President Trump’s executive orders aimed at reversing transgender rights, signaling a broader shift in federal policy. The intersection of these legal and political developments underscores the contentious and polarized nature of debates over transgender healthcare in the U.S.
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