LGBTQ Texans line up to oppose electronic health record billThe bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support, signaling likely passage in the House.
Link to Full ArticleThe Dallas Morning News - Nolan D. McCaskill
Apr. 15, 2025
A bill that would require electronic health records to include space for information about "any sexual development disorder" faced intense scrutiny from opponents during a committee hearing Monday.
Transgender Texans and LGBTQ allies showed up in force at the House State Affairs Committee hearing to object to a provision in the bill that would require such records to include a space marking a person's biological sex as male or female.
House Bill 4503, filed by GOP Rep. Greg Bonnen of Friendswood, would not prohibit the electronic records from recording additional information on a person's biological sex or gender identity, but the sex could only be changed to correct a clerical error or switch the listed sex of an intersex person.
Julia Heilrayne, a registered nurse, cautioned that the legislation sends a "chilling message" to health care providers that their medical expertise can be overruled by the political ideology of people who "frankly, with all due respect, have no idea what they're talking about."
Other witnesses said the bill lacks scientific merit, is likely unconstitutional and, if implemented, would out transgender people to medical professionals who might not have their best interest at heart.-------------------------------
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Bonnen, a doctor, said "there's a lot of good" in his bill, which would also ensure parents have access to minors' medical records and includes an artificial intelligence component.Before long, all of your data belongs to the AI.
Big Brother is watching you.
