Texas AG Ken Paxton Sues Dallas Doctor Over Alleged Violation of Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

Dr. May C. Lau is an adolescent medicine expert in the Dallas area. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has started legal action against her, saying she gave gender-affirming care to minors in a way that was against the law. According to the lawsuit, which was made public on Thursday, Dr. Lau gave high doses of cross-sex hormones to 21 minors in order to help them change their gender identity, which is against Senate Bill 14 (SB 14).

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SB 14 was passed in 2023 and forbids medical treatments like hormone therapy, surgeries, and drugs that stop puberty for children who want to change their gender. Earlier this year, the Texas Supreme Court upheld the law, saying it was valid even though it caused a lot of controversy and was opposed by some advocacy groups.

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The Attorney General said that Dr. Lau hid the fact that the treatments she gave her patients were meant to change their biological sex by giving them fake diagnoses and using dishonest billing methods. It is also said in the case that she lied to pharmacies, insurance companies, and patients by changing medical records and prescriptions.

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Kids' Health System of Texas is connected to UT Southwestern Medical Center, the hospital system where Dr. Lau works. Someone from Children's Health said, "The health and well-being of our patients is our top priority." All state health care rules are followed by Children's Health. Dr. Lau and UT Southwestern have not said anything about the claims yet.

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The lawsuit starts a new discussion about gender-affirming care for minors, which was a controversial topic during the 2023 legislative session. SB 14 passed with a vote of 19-11. The case is likely to make people think about the law's bigger effects and the future of transgender youth's health care in Texas.

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