OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska lawmakers say they have been contacted by families reporting that some pharmacists are unfairly denying prescriptions for gender reassignment drugs to their transgender children. said. new state law Restricting people under 19 from taking puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones.
Omaha State Sen. Megan Hunt sent a letter Wednesday to Dr. Timothy Tesmer, the state’s chief medical officer, reminding all Nebraska health care workers, including pharmacists, that the new law specifically requires the They asked them to let them know that minors who were given drugs were also allowed. It went into effect to continue that treatment.
The bill, commonly referred to as LB574, also bans gender reassignment surgery for transgender youth under the age of 19. It took effect Sunday.
“However, parents and patients have informed me that they have been denied prescriptions essential to their care that were prescribed before October 1, 2023,” Hunt’s letter said. “Apparently, some pharmacists in Nebraska are using LB 574 to refuse to refill prescriptions issued by health care providers. Interruptions or delays in prescription plans are the plain text of LB 574. It is inconsistent with the medical standard of care for these patients.”
A spokesperson for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a message asking whether the department or Tezmer would honor Hunt’s request.
The new law would allow some new transgender patients under the age of 19 to begin drug treatment under a set of guidelines developed by the state’s chief medical officer.
Tessmer, who was appointed to the post by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen several weeks ago, said during his confirmation hearing that he likely would not be able to issue these guidelines by Oct. 1. But he issued a series of guidelines. emergency regulations Deliberations will take place Sunday until the permanent regulations are adopted, which is expected some time after a public hearing on the final draft is held in late November.
These emergency regulations were enacted after families, doctors and some lawmakers said they were primarily harmed. There was no response The authorities will notify you when the regulations come into force.
Hunt has been a vocal critic of the new law and was one of the few progressive lawmakers who supported it. Almost all bills are filibustered Earlier this year, he formally sued a bipartisan Congress to protest.
Hunt herself has endured a barrage of hateful accusations and rhetoric after publicly sharing that her 13-year-old is transgender in a speech to Congress.
Earlier this year, she sued A conservative political action committee has labeled her a “groomer,” suggested she sexually abused her own children, and sent dozens of harassing phone calls and emails to her and her office. It has arrived. Some people threatened her with physical harm.
judgement dismissed her lawsuit against the Nebraska Freedom Coalition last week. Mr Hunt is considering an appeal.
Nebraska Restrictions Gender-affirming care It was part of a series of measures to roll back transgender rights in Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country.
At least 22 states have enacted laws restricting or prohibiting gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, and most of those states are facing lawsuits. Arkansas’ ban mirrored Nebraska’s. rejected by a federal judge In June, the law will be appealed as unconstitutional to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which also handles the Nebraska case.
