COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Health has issued a memo last week saying after reviewing public comments, the rules regarding gender transition care will only apply to minors. Originally, the plan included restrictions for gender transition medical treatment for adults.
"I'm really glad that those are gone, because I think those were putting unnecessary restrictions on adults," said Dr. Christopher Bolling, a retired pediatrician.
In his time working, Bolling has professionally worked with trans youth and referred them to specialists. He said that gender transition care is critical for those in need. Bolling said he is very happy the rules that could have impacted trans adults were removed. But he is worried about the transgender youth in the Buckeye State, as the proposal would ban Ohio hospitals from performing gender transition care on minors.
He also expressed concern about added regulations on children who are facing gender dysphoria with specific treatment plans in place.
"Those kids are not going to be allowed to start certain evidence based medication chains that are often an adjunct to solid behavioral health interventions for kids with gender dysphoria," said Bolling.
Under the draft rules, minors have to get at least six months of mental health counseling to be eligible to receive puberty blockers or hormones, and the rules prohibit surgeries. They will also prohibit doctors from referring minors to out-of-state facilities for specific gender transition care.
"The governor has been focused on protecting children throughout this debate. He also sought administrative rules where there was consensus. The changes reflect his focus on these priorities while reflecting the public comments received by the agencies," Dan Tierney, press secretary of the Office of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in an issued statement to Spectrum News 1.
"Make no mistake, an attack on care for minors is still an attack on gender-affirming care. While this will not affect our adult patients’ access to care, we recognize the ripple it will cause in access for all providers by the strain it puts on families and physicians of trans minors who are grappling with these new hurdles," Dr. Sharon Liner, the medical director of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, said in part in a public statement.
Before the rule goes into effect, it will be reviewed by the Ohio Common Sense Initiative and The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.
