Health Law Advisor

On June 12, 2025, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (“CHOP”) received a subpoena issued by the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) requesting highly sensitive patient health and procedure information related to gender-affirming care. These subpoenas, issued to multiple hospitals, doctors, and clinics, were directly related to the Trump Administration’s January 28, 2025, Executive Order entitled, “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” (“EO 14187”).  The subpoena to CHOP has resulted in recent court activity over its purpose and enforceability. 

One thing's certain – the vast and growing supply of data contained in electronic medical records systems will play a significant role in improving the speed and efficiency of research into new treatments in the years to come.  The challenge will be striking an appropriate balance between the unquestionable promise of this data to enable research – research that will enhance available treatments and save lives – with the rights of individual patients in the privacy of their health information.  Attempts to strike that balance are at the heart of current legislative, regulatory ...