Biden Administration Accused of Secretly Supporting Gender Affirming Care for Minors in States Where It's Banned

Documents Unveiled by America First Legal

On Thursday, America First Legal exposed documents from its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These documents, which include emails from Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine, suggest that the Biden Administration has been privately collaborating with "gender affirming care providers" in states where such practices are prohibited, promising federal support to counter state laws.

Concern for LGBTI+ Community in Idaho

The documents highlight Levine's particular concern for the LGBTI+ community in Idaho. She has been actively working to challenge state laws that restrict gender affirming care. These documents were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding Levine’s communication about pediatric transgender clinics.

Covert Operations Revealed

In March 2023, Levine declared that federal support for transitioning children was extensive, reaching all the way to the presidential level. She characterized any opposition as politically driven. The recently disclosed documents provide further insight into the administration's covert activities with advocates to advance this agenda.

Noteworthy Communication

A significant email from June 2022 features HHS Regional Director Ingrid Ulrey discussing an Idaho meeting concerning upcoming legislation aimed at banning certain medical treatments for minors. Ulrey expressed sympathy for Idaho's LGBTQ community, particularly in light of legislative efforts she perceived as damaging.

Ulrey's Concerns

In her memo, Ulrey voiced worries about the impact of Idaho's proposed law on "Gender Affirming Care" (GAC), including a shortage of doctors and the high costs of such treatments without insurance support. She also suggested the removal of parental consent requirements, which could include needing consent from just one parent or both if divorced. This approach seems to be endorsed by a high-ranking HHS official following conversations with these providers.

Proposal to Simplify Legal Barriers

Ulrey's conversations with "gender-affirming care providers" resulted in a controversial proposal to simplify legal obstacles, including reducing parental consent requirements for such treatments, according to America First Legal. After these meetings, a high-ranking HHS official advocated for the removal of parental consent as part of the definition of "gender-affirming care."

Call for Federal Intervention

The meeting summary called for federal intervention to override state laws restricting such care, suggesting the use of Medicaid to mandate coverage across all states and exploring the provision of such care in prisons. The summary also reflected provider concerns about parental rights limiting children's access to these treatments. On June 5, 2022, Assistant Secretary Levine expressed ongoing support for the LGBTI+ community in Idaho, vowing to continue advocacy efforts nationally.

Further Details from Alaska Roundtable

Further details were revealed from a June 2022 roundtable in Anchorage, Alaska, where discussions centered on integrating mental health counselors in schools amid concerns about parental opposition. A local clinic, Identity, Inc., was noted for providing non-surgical gender-affirming care, with surgical treatments sought outside Alaska. The report also mentioned potential local legislation in Anchorage impacting transgender individuals' participation in school sports, indicating ongoing legislative challenges for the transgender community.

Comments from America First Legal Senior Advisor

Ian Prior, Senior Advisor at America First Legal, commented, “The Biden Administration is leveraging the full power of the federal government to engage in an anti-science war on reality, with America’s children as the collateral damage. While European nations are drastically pulling back on these dangerous experiments and a number of states are legislating against them, the Biden Administration is plowing full steam ahead in its goal of redefining the foundations of biology, from the doctors’ offices to the athletic fields. This comes even as the United States Supreme Court has held that states have a right to enact such legislation. The Biden Administration is supporting crimes against humanity, and America First Legal will continue to fight back until these dangerous practices end.”

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