WASHINGTON, D.C. – Shocking internal emails obtained from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lawsuit by America First Legal have brought to light concerning discussions on how to leverage federal power to circumvent state legislation banning gender affirming care for children. The revealed documents include interactions with "gender affirming care providers" in states with prohibitions on these medical practices, indicating a concerted effort by the Biden Administration to intervene in state policies.
Assistant Secretary for Health, Rachel Levine, expressed dedication to the cause by stating, "We are continuing to push this issue nationally and will keep you up to date with our plans." Ingrid Ulrey, HHS Regional Director, also demonstrated empathy towards the LGBTQ community in Idaho, acknowledging the challenges they face due to state laws prohibiting certain medical procedures.
The emails highlighted the concerns of healthcare providers in Idaho regarding potential legislation that would restrict their ability to provide gender affirming care to minors. Ulrey emphasized the need for federal support to counteract tightening state regulations, indicating a strategy to bypass existing laws. The discussions also touched upon the removal of parental consent as a requirement for gender affirming care, raising ethical and legal questions.
In another instance, discussions from a LGBTQ roundtable in Anchorage, Alaska revealed efforts to address opposition from parents' rights advocates and concerns about pending anti-trans bills. The revelations underscore the extent to which advocates are seeking federal assistance to advance their agenda, despite legal obstacles at the state level.
In response to these alarming revelations, America First Legal Senior Advisor Ian Prior condemned the Biden Administration's actions, accusing them of engaging in an "anti-science war on reality" with detrimental consequences for children. Prior emphasized the need to challenge these practices and uphold the rule of law in protecting minors from potentially harmful medical interventions.
The uncovered emails shed light on the intricate web of interactions between federal officials and advocacy groups in promoting gender affirming care, raising concerns about the prioritization of ideological agendas over the well-being of children. As the debate on this issue continues, the implications of federal intervention in state healthcare policies remain a contentious subject.