Have you ever wondered what happens when a state government decides to keep secrets about something as sensitive as children’s healthcare? In Oregon, a battle is unfolding that’s not just about data but about trust, transparency, and the well-being of kids. As a lifelong advocate for health consumer rights, I’ve spent years digging into the policies that shape how we care for the most vulnerable among us. What I’ve uncovered in Oregon is both surprising and deeply troubling—a state withholding critical information about gender transition treatments for children, even when the law demands openness.
The Fight for Transparent Healthcare
For over two decades, I’ve worked to ensure that healthcare systems prioritize patients over politics. From securing insurance coverage for autism services to fighting discrimination in organ transplants, my mission has always been to make healthcare fair and evidence-based. But when it comes to gender-affirming care for kids, Oregon seems to be playing a different game. The state’s All Payer All Claims database, which holds detailed records of nearly every medical transaction in Oregon, is a goldmine for understanding trends in healthcare. By law, this data should be accessible to the public, carefully anonymized to protect privacy. So why is Oregon stonewalling my request to study it?
A Shocking Discovery in the Data
A few years ago, I got my hands on the 2019 data from Oregon’s health database for a federally funded study. What I found was jaw-dropping. The state had estimated that only about 175 patients would access taxpayer-funded gender transition services, costing around $200,000 annually. The reality? Over 7,500 patients had received these services, at a cost 100 times higher than predicted. Among them were kids—160 on puberty blockers, 370 on cross-sex hormones, and even 33 girls as young as 15 who had undergone mastectomies. Most shockingly, two 17-year-old girls had hysterectomies, procedures that left them permanently sterilized.
The numbers didn’t lie, but they raised questions the state didn’t want to answer.
– Health policy advocate
This wasn’t just a statistical oversight; it contradicted official claims. Oregon’s Department of Justice had publicly stated that genital surgeries weren’t performed on minors. Yet, the data told a different story, one that demanded further investigation. As someone who’s spent years advocating for kids with complex medical needs, I couldn’t shake the feeling that these findings deserved a closer look—not just for clarity but to ensure kids were getting care grounded in solid evidence.
A Request Met with Resistance
In early 2025, I reached out to the Oregon Health Authority, eager to dive into a decade’s worth of data—2011 to 2020—to track the rise in gender dysphoria diagnoses and treatments. Initially, they seemed cooperative, offering access to the full dataset. But the moment I mentioned my focus on gender-affirming care, the tone shifted. Internal emails, later obtained through public records requests, revealed a flurry of concern among senior officials. They weren’t worried about data accuracy or privacy—they were fretting about the “political risks” of letting me analyze this information.
What followed was a series of excuses that didn’t add up. First, they floated the idea of forcing me to sign a contract that would limit how I could share my findings. Then, they considered scrubbing all gender dysphoria records from the database entirely—an option they quickly realized was illegal. Finally, they landed on a bold claim: the entire database was suddenly non-compliant with federal privacy laws. If true, this would be a massive scandal, given that Oregon has been selling this data to researchers, journalists, and even tech companies for 15 years without issue.
Unpacking the Privacy Excuse
Let’s be real: the privacy argument doesn’t hold water. The All Payer All Claims database is designed to be anonymous, fully compliant with federal regulations like HIPAA. No individual patient can be identified—period. If Oregon truly believed the database violated privacy laws, they’d be legally obligated to notify the federal government, the media, and every Oregonian whose data was included. Yet, they’ve done none of this. They haven’t even contacted those of us who already own the data to warn us or ask for it back. It’s hard not to see this as a convenient excuse to avoid scrutiny.
- The database has been sold to dozens of organizations for years.
- No privacy violations have ever been reported.
- The state’s own lawyers haven’t flagged any compliance issues.
In my experience, when a government agency dodges a simple data request with such a flimsy excuse, it’s usually because they’re hiding something. And in this case, what they’re hiding could have serious implications for how we approach gender-affirming care for kids.
Why Transparency Matters
Healthcare decisions, especially for children, should be rooted in evidence, not ideology. The rise in gender dysphoria diagnoses among kids is a relatively new phenomenon, and we need clear data to understand it. How young are the patients seeking these treatments? What other medical conditions do they have? Are the treatments effective in the long term? These aren’t just academic questions—they’re critical for ensuring kids get care that’s safe and appropriate.
By withholding this data, Oregon isn’t just blocking my research; they’re preventing the public from having an informed conversation about a sensitive issue. As a lifelong Democrat, I find this particularly disheartening. Transparency is a cornerstone of good governance, and I’d expect the same outrage from my fellow liberals if a Republican-led state pulled this stunt. It’s not about politics—it’s about doing right by kids.
Without data, we’re just guessing—and kids deserve better than that.
The Legal Fight Ahead
Frustrated by Oregon’s stonewalling, I took the only step left: I filed a federal lawsuit in August 2025, arguing that the state’s refusal to release the data violates my First Amendment rights. This isn’t just about my access to the database—it’s about the public’s right to know how healthcare decisions are being made, especially for children. The lawsuit is still pending, but it’s already shining a light on the lengths to which Oregon will go to keep this information under wraps.
Perhaps the most frustrating part is the hypocrisy. Oregon prides itself on being a progressive leader in healthcare, yet here they are, acting like a bureaucracy afraid of the truth. If the data shows that gender-affirming care is safe and effective, why not release it? If it raises concerns, shouldn’t we know so we can address them? Either way, hiding the truth helps no one.
What’s at Stake for Families
For families navigating gender dysphoria, the lack of transparency can feel like a betrayal. Parents want to make informed decisions for their kids, but without clear data, they’re left in the dark. Are puberty blockers reversible, as some claim? What are the long-term effects of cross-sex hormones? How often are surgeries performed on minors, and what are the outcomes? These are questions that deserve answers, not obfuscation.
| Treatment Type | Age Group | Key Concerns |
| Puberty Blockers | Children (12-17) | Long-term effects on development |
| Cross-Sex Hormones | Teens (14-17) | Irreversible physical changes |
| Surgeries | Teens (15-17) | Permanent sterilization risks |
As a parent myself, I can’t imagine making these decisions without access to reliable information. The state’s refusal to share data doesn’t just hinder researchers—it undermines families trying to do what’s best for their kids.
A Call for Accountability
The situation in Oregon is a wake-up call. Healthcare transparency isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. When governments hide data, they erode trust—not just in institutions but in the very systems designed to protect us. I’ve always believed that good policy comes from open dialogue, and that starts with access to the truth.
- Demand that Oregon release the All Payer All Claims data.
- Push for independent audits of gender-affirming care practices.
- Support policies that prioritize evidence-based care for kids.
In my years as an advocate, I’ve learned that change doesn’t come easy. It takes persistence, courage, and a willingness to ask tough questions. Oregon’s refusal to share data on child gender transitions isn’t just a bureaucratic misstep—it’s a deliberate choice to prioritize politics over people. And that’s something I can’t stay silent about.
So, where do we go from here? The lawsuit may force Oregon’s hand, but the bigger fight is cultural. We need to foster a healthcare system that values openness over secrecy, evidence over ideology. Kids deserve care that’s grounded in truth, and families deserve the information to make informed choices. If Oregon won’t provide that, it’s up to us—advocates, parents, and citizens—to demand it.
Transparency isn’t just a right; it’s the foundation of trust in healthcare.
– Health consumer advocate
As I continue this fight, I’m reminded of why I started advocating in the first place: because every child deserves care that’s safe, fair, and backed by evidence. Oregon’s data could hold the key to answering critical questions about gender-affirming care. It’s time for the state to stop hiding and start sharing.
