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Experts warn of "chilling" effect of Texas attorney general suing doctors over gender-affirming care

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/experts-warn-of-chilling-effect-of-texas-attorney-general-suing-doctors-over-gender-affirming-care/ar-AA1tWEQ6?ocid=windirect&cvid=f24e440fe061435e9ae41cd9d182755e&ei=44

Story by Elizabeth Hlavinka (12 Nov 2024)

In late October, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued a second doctor for providing gender-affirming medical care to minors in the state, where Senate Bill 14 prohibits the prescribing of treatments like puberty blockers and hormones. It's the latest punitive action taken to restrict access to trans health care in Texas, which has become a battleground for LGBTQ rights. As such, many are concerned about the message Paxton's lawsuits sends to health care providers and trans people in the state and across the country.

"It's a violation of people's right to autonomy and is an example of the government interfering in careful discussions and decisions made involving patients, their families, and their clinicians," Keuroghlian told Salon in a phone interview.

"We talk a lot in Texas about how we care about ... the government not interfering with your everyday life," Segovia said. "But how much more big government can you be that your government is suing doctors and telling them to not provide care to their patients?"

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on November 12, 2024, 08:25:24 AMIt's a violation of people's right to autonomy

It's practising medicine without a license.

Hi Everyone

Then sue Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in regards to the following:

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on November 12, 2024, 08:25:24 AM"It's a violation of people's right to autonomy and is an example of the government interfering in careful discussions and decisions made involving patients, their families, and their clinicians," Keuroghlian told Salon in a phone interview.

On the following grounds:

• Due Process Clause (14th Amendment): The right to make personal decisions about one's body and life choices, such as medical procedures, reproductive rights, or gender-affirming care has historically been considered a component of substantive due process.
• Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment): Laws that discriminate against individuals based on gender, sexual orientation, or other protected categories may also infringe on equal protection rights under this clause.

and

Quote from: KathyLauren on November 12, 2024, 10:23:33 AMIt's practising medicine without a license.

Ken Paxton is not a licensed medical doctor. He is a lawyer by profession and has served as the Attorney General of Texas. Paxton's role is in law and legal matters, and his actions in suing healthcare providers are based on legal authority rather than medical expertise.

Several cases related to gender affirming care that are heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.  They are:

• B.P.J.  v.  West Virginia (2022)
• Doe v.  Abbott (2023)
• Hernandez v.  Texas (2024)

If these cases reach SCOTUS, they will have profound implications on the rights of transgender individuals, particularly minors, to access gender-affirming care and whether such access is protected under Title IX and the 14th Amendment.  It's important to keep an eye on these developments, as they could set significant precedents regarding LGBTQ+ rights, discrimination law, and the scope of constitutional protections for gender identity in the U.S.

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator

Quote from: KathyLauren on November 12, 2024, 10:23:33 AMIt's practising medicine without a license.

I am of the same opinion, that Paxton is not a medical professional, but his role as Attorney General does grant him authority to enforce state laws. The reality is that states currently have some authority to regulate medical practices, particularly for minors, which are a protected class.