Columbus, Ohio – Ohio’s Health Department has made significant changes to the proposed administrative rules that would have restricted access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender adults. This decision comes after overwhelming opposition from the public, prompting the department to revise the rules.
The new rules are a stark contrast to the original draft, which drew criticism from LGBTQ advocates and medical professionals for imposing restrictions that would limit access to care for transgender minors and adults. The revised rules now focus solely on care for minors, eliminating the previously proposed limitations for adults seeking gender-affirming care.
The decision to revise the proposed rules follows a surge of public comments expressing concerns about the restrictions on access to gender-affirming care for adults. The Ohio Health Department acknowledged the feedback and made adjustments to address the issues raised by members of the public.
Under the amended draft rules, the requirement for treatment plans to be reviewed by a medical ethicist has been removed, easing concerns about institutional operations and access to care for transgender individuals. Additionally, the types of mental health professionals that can be part of multidisciplinary care teams have been expanded, reflecting concerns about the limited availability of certain medical specialties.
Despite the changes, some provisions from the original draft remain intact, including the requirement for transgender minors to undergo six months of mental health counseling before receiving medications like puberty blockers or hormones. The rules also continue to prohibit doctors from referring minors to out-of-state facilities for gender-affirming surgeries, with the added clarification that the data collected by the state Health Department will not identify individual patients.
The amended rules are now set to undergo the rule adoption process, including review by the Ohio Common Sense Initiative and filing with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. The move represents a significant shift in Ohio’s approach to gender-affirming care, signaling a more inclusive and responsive stance to public feedback.
Overall, the changes to the proposed rules reflect a concerted effort to address public concerns while ensuring that transgender individuals have access to the necessary care without unnecessary barriers. As the rules proceed through the adoption process, Ohio’s approach to gender-affirming care continues to evolve in response to the needs and concerns of the community.