Ohio Governor Orders Restrictions on Transgender Care After Veto Override

Background

The moves come as the House of Representatives prepares to return early next week in an effort to override the governor’s veto of the bill that would have barred transgender minors from receiving puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery to shove. Mr. DeWine’s veto was a rare rejection of the transition care ban by a Republican governor.

Although gender transition surgeries in adolescents are extremely rare, minors are increasingly seeking top surgery or breast removal procedures to better align their bodies with their gender identity.

Medical professionals have debated which children should receive gender-affirming treatments and at what age. But leading medical groups in the United States, including the American Academy of Pediatricssay that such care should be available to minors and are against legal prohibitions. Under the proposed rules that Mr. DeWine instructed health authorities, parents would also have to give explicit consent for all treatments.

On Friday, Mr. DeWine said his executive order would take the thorny issue of operations “off the table.” But the governor stood by his veto of the broader ban on gender-affirming care.

“I believe that parents, not the government, should make these crucial decisions for their children,” he said.

Why it matters

It’s possible the governor will try to compromise with Republican lawmakers in the state by reintroducing part of the bill he vetoed. His guidelines also appeared to add new restrictions on adult transitional care that were not included in the bill.

Many studies have shown that transition care is possible for transgender adults can improve psychological well-being and quality of life. But several states have tried to impose rules on adult care, including requiring that doctors, rather than a nurse, supervise hormone therapy, and that such care be provided through in-person visits.

Under the proposed rules, transgender people must provide “sufficient informed consent” for gender-affirming care after “comprehensive” and “sustained” mental health care. Hospitals and clinics would also be required to report gender dysphoria diagnoses and treatments to state health officials every six months.

The debate over medical care for transgender minors is part of a concerted effort by the Republican Party to mobilize cultural conservatives around transgender issues. Last year, 22 states passed bans on transitional care for minors. Some have also introduced legislation affecting other facets of transgender people’s lives, including legislation on sports participation, toilet use and drag performances.

What’s next

The Ohio House has scheduled a special session for Wednesday, where representatives are expected to vote on whether to override the governor’s veto. The Senate is expected to vote later this month.

Mr. DeWine said his administration would pursue the new rules regardless of a veto override.