Overview

• U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun on Sept. 9 threw out a June DOJ administrative subpoena that sought sensitive patient data, extensive records dating to 2020, and personnel files from Boston Children’s Hospital.
• The ruling calls the demand overbroad and a fishing expedition, finding the government acted in bad faith and not to investigate fraud or unlawful off‑label promotion as claimed.
• Boston Children’s said the decision safeguards the privacy of patients, families and clinicians; the case remains open but the Justice Department cannot obtain the requested records.
• A DOJ spokesperson declined to address the order directly and reiterated the department’s stance that it is investigating potential health‑care fraud and related violations.
• This is the first known court setback for a federal sweep that has issued more than 20 subpoenas, while parallel disputes over medical privacy, HIPAA limits and state shield protections continue and some providers have curtailed youth services.