Planned Parenthood sues MO attorney general over trans care investigation
Planned Parenting from the St. Louis and Southwestern Missouri Area is suing Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey for his investigation into how the health care provider works with trans youth. The lawsuit was filed Friday in St. Louis Circuit Court.
In March, Bailey filed a request for a civil inquiry, made up of 54 separate requests, according to the lawsuit that seeks to have the request quashed.
The Civil Inquiry Request says the Attorney General’s investigation into the University of Washington Pediatric Transgender Center and others around the state providing similar services is “based in part, but not limited to, on allegations made in a sworn affidavit by Jamie Reed”. Reed was a case manager at the Pediatric Transgender Center at the University of Washington. Court records indicate that Reed’s affidavit makes no mention of Planned Parenthood.
More: Missouri Senate approves ban on transgender care for minors, except for current patients
The attorney general’s office said it requested “background documents” after finding “Planned Parenthood is providing children with life-changing sex-transition drugs without any therapeutic evaluation.”
In a statement to The Associated Press, Dr. Colleen McNicholas, PPSLR’s chief medical officer, called Bailey’s investigation “a fishing expedition.” Planned Parenthood also said in a press release that the information Bailey seeks is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
“Planned Parenthood knows this playbook well, and we will move forward as we have in all other sham investigations – we will continue to provide expert, evidence-based health care while we fight through the courts. This survey is what ignorance and transphobia look like, and they have no place in our exam rooms,” said Yamelsie Rodriguez, President and CEO of PPSLR. “To our trans and non-binary patients: our doors remain open to you. We are not backing down. »
In 2021, Planned Parenthood, the Missouri Foundation for Health, and the Metro Trans Umbrella Group launched a program called TRANSform the community TRANSform the care, which has expanded access to gender-affirming care. According PPSLR webpage on hormone replacement therapy, the organization offers hormone replacement therapy to patients 16 years of age and older and does not require a letter of support from a mental health provider.
More: What does the “T” mean in LGBTQ? Gender identity and transgender and non-binary communities
Bailey’s office said Planned Parenthood’s response should make Missourians “very concerned” and chastised the organization for refusing to produce the requested documents.
“Planned Parenthood’s decision not to follow the science, and even not explain why it will not follow the science, is of serious concern,” the office said in a statement. “We look forward to responding to this request for information and learning what is really happening with Planned Parenthood regarding gender transition issues.”
In mid-March, Bailey’s office issued a press release announcing a emergency rule to “stop experimental gender transition interventions” for minors. Before an emergency rule can go into effect, it must be approved by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and posted in the Missouri Register. As of April 4, there is no indication that Ashcroft has officially approved the rule or that it has been published in the Missouri register.
Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email him at [email protected].
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