93.3 KWTO Keeping Watch Over the Ozarks
This story courtesy of Makanzie Koch of OzarksFirst.com-
Missouri’s attorney general has a warning for several providers across the state, including Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy and Planned Parenthood.
Senate Bill 49 took effect Monday, banning transgender children and some adults from receiving gender-affirming care.
The law blocks access to puberty blockers, hormones and gender-affirming surgeries for those under 18. Minors who began puberty blockers or hormones before Monday will be allowed to continue on those medications, but other minors won’t have access to those drugs.
Additionally, Medicaid will no longer cover gender-affirming treatments for adults, and the state will not provide gender-affirming surgeries to prisoners.
On Monday, Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a letter to multiple health care providers saying they must “immediately cease and desist performing gender transition surgeries on minors.”
Physicians who violate the law face some big risks. Violations could lead to the state revoking licenses, and patients with an illegal procedure could file a lawsuit seeking up to $500,000 in damages.
Bailey said he sent the letter to the following health care facilities:
- Washington University, St. Louis
- Southampton Healthcare, St. Louis
- Children’s Mercy, Kansas City
- Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Kansas City
- Planned Parenthood, St. Louis
- AIDS Project of the Ozarks, Springfield
“The people of Missouri have spoken decisively on this issue through their elected representatives, and the courts, after a full evidentiary hearing, have declined to enjoin the law. The time for experimenting on Missouri’s children is over,” Bailey said.