Current:Home > ContactOhio backs off proposed restrictions on gender-affirming care for adults -Profound Wealth Insights
Ohio backs off proposed restrictions on gender-affirming care for adults
Indexbit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-09 14:03:56
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's administration on Wednesday backed off its plans to impose rules that advocates feared would have restricted gender-affirming medical treatment for adults in a way no other state has.
The rules proposed by two state departments would have required psychiatrists, endocrinologists and medical ethicists to have roles in creating gender-affirming care plans for clinics and hospitals. Patients under 21 would have been required to receive at least six months of counseling before starting hormone treatment or receiving gender-affirming surgery.
The Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services both issued revised proposals Wednesday after gathering public comment. Both said in memos that they were swayed by what they had learned as transgender people and care providers weighed in. The Health Department said it received 3,900 comments. In the new versions, the rules would apply only to the care of minors, not adults.
In a statement, DeWine's office said the governor was seeking "administrative rules where there was consensus."
"Governor DeWine has been focused on protecting children throughout this debate," the statement said. "The changes reflect his focus on these priorities while reflecting the public comments received by the agencies."
Over the last few years, 21 states have adopted laws banning at least some aspects of gender-affirming care for minors. Some are so new they haven't taken effect yet, and a ban in Arkansas was struck down in court. But so far, only Florida has restricted care for adults.
The Ohio departments said the rules will now advance to the next step of review before being implemented.
The draft rules would still require that patients under 18 receive at least six months of mental health counseling before they can receive gender-affirming medications or surgeries. The revisions made Wednesday also expand the list of mental health professionals qualified to provide the required counseling, adding clinical nurses, social workers, school psychologists and some physicians.
Further, a medical ethicist would no longer be required to have a role in developing facility-wide treatment plans for the care. In a memo, the Health Department said that change was made partly because institutions already use medical ethics professionals to develop policies.
Some parts of the rules regarding care for minors could have a muted effect. Last month, the Legislature banned gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapies for minors by overriding DeWine's December veto of that measure, which would allow children already receiving treatment to continue.
That law will take effect in April.
- In:
- Transgender
- Ohio
veryGood! (561)
Related
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Russia is sending more forces to an eastern Ukraine city after its assault slows, analysts say
- Gaza conditions worsen following Israeli onslaught after Hamas attack
- Pan American Games set to open in Chile with many athletes eyeing spots at the Paris Olympics
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Bill Ford on UAW strike: 'We can stop this now,' urges focus on nonunion automakers
- FDA faces pressure to act nationwide on red dye in food
- Natalee Holloway Case: Suspect Expected to Share Details of Her Death 18 Years After Disappearance
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- A Tonga surgeon to lead WHO’s Western Pacific after previous director fired for racism, misconduct
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Donald Trump is returning to his civil fraud trial, but star witness Michael Cohen won’t be there
- Choice Hotels offers nearly $8 billion for larger rival Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as travel booms
- UN refugee chief says Rohingya who fled Myanmar must not be forgotten during other world crises
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Retail sales rise solid 0.7% in September, reflecting US shoppers’ resilience despite higher prices
- Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh elected to be an International Olympic Committee member
- Watch: Giraffe stumbles, crashes onto car windshield at Texas wildlife center
Recommendation
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Republicans in Nevada are split in dueling contest over 2024 presidential nomination
Jada Pinkett Smith bares all about marriage in interview, book: 'Hell of a rugged journey'
Biden consults with world leaders, top advisers with Middle East on edge over Israel-Hamas war
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
How Quran burnings in Sweden have increased threats from Islamic militants
Wisconsin Republicans admit vote to fire elections chief had no legal effect
Iranian film director Dariush Mehrjui and his wife stabbed to death in home, state media reports