CNS News–Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s recent proposals have sparked significant concern among transgender advocates. These proposals could severely restrict access to gender-affirming care provided by independent clinics and general practitioners, potentially affecting thousands of adults in need of such treatment.
One of the individuals affected, Ashton Colby, a transgender man from Columbus, articulated his fears that the clinic where he receives testosterone treatment might have to stop offering it due to these new rules. He expressed concern about the mental health impact and the potential return of his menstrual cycle after many years, a prospect that deeply distresses him.
The proposed rules by the Ohio Department of Health and the state’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services demand stringent requirements. They call for involvement from psychiatrists, endocrinologists, and medical ethicists in creating comprehensive care plans.
The rules also stipulate a mandatory six-month mental health counseling period before starting gender-affirming medication or surgery for patients under 21. Moreover, these rules prohibit providers from referring minors to out-of-state treatment facilities.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced proposals this month that transgender advocates say could block access to gender-affirming care provided by independent clinics and general practitioners, leaving thousands of adults scrambling for treatment. https://t.co/My08GvZSWQ
— WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 (@wbalradio) January 20, 2024
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Critics, including Kellan Baker of the Whitman-Walker Institute and Dara Adkison of TransOhio, argue that these rules are excessively bureaucratic and aim to effectively cut off access to necessary health care. They contend that these regulations exceed the standard of care established by authoritative bodies like the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
Medical professionals and advocacy groups warn that these restrictions, if implemented, could disproportionately affect lower-income, minority, and rural transgender individuals, creating significant barriers to essential care.