UT Southwestern Leaders Maneuver To Accept Blame For Trans Care Cuts
Meanwhile in Kentucky, the Republican-controlled legislature swiftly overrode Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of an anti-transgender sports bill, meaning the ban is now in place for kids from the sixth grade up. Beshear had warned the bill could be unconstitutional.
Dallas Morning News:
UT Southwestern Leaders Say They Alone Made Decision To Alter Program For Transgender Youth
In a bid to avoid having to explain their decision further under oath, UT Southwestern’s top two leaders have told a Dallas judge they alone decided to stop providing certain medical treatments to new patients at the hospital’s program for transgender youth. UT Southwestern Medical Center President Dr. Daniel Podolsky and Hospitals CEO Dr. John J. Warner told Judge Melissa Bellan on Wednesday that no “third party” entity or individual “made or directed them” to make changes to Genecis, a program run by UT Southwestern and Children’s Health that provided care to minors experiencing gender dysphoria. (McGaughy and Wolf, 4/13)
Fox News:
Kentucky Lawmakers Override Governor's Veto Of Bill Banning Transgender Athletes From Girls' Sports
The Republican-controlled legislature in Kentucky voted Wednesday to override Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of legislation that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in sex-segregated sporting events from sixth grade through college. The expected move came after Beshear refused to sign Senate Bill 83 last week and claimed it was most likely unconstitutional. He said the legislation "discriminates against transgender people" and therefore would not hold up in court. The measure is now law in the state after the Republicans overrode the veto of the legislation, which originally passed through the state House with a 70 to 23 vote and the state Senate with a 26 to 9 vote. (Morris, 4/13)
In other health news from across the U.S. —
San Francisco Chronicle:
Alameda County Report Shows Dramatic Rise In Deaths Among Unhoused People
Deaths among unhoused people in Alameda County nearly doubled between 2018 and 2020, according to a report published Tuesday by county officials. A total of 809 people died while experiencing homelessness during that three-year interval, with the death toll rising steadily from 195 in 2018 to 395 in 2020, according to the report, prepared by the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency’s Health Care for the Homeless program and Community Assessment, Planning and Evaluation unit. (Whiting, 4/13)
Columbus Dispatch:
Push To Make Housing Program For Impoverished Pregnant Women Statewide
In an effort to reduce infant mortality in Ohio, a pilot program that provides housing to pregnant women dealing with or at risk of homelessness will soon expand in Columbus and put new roots in Akron. The state will provide $2.25 million from its budget for the expansion, but groups behind the program are asking for $9 million more for further growth. "It's exciting to have a way to demonstrate in a very specific, very stubborn problem of infant mortality, that a housing strategy can make a measurable difference," said Bill Faith, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio. (Wu, 4/13)
Missouri Independent:
Missouri Lawmakers Could Block Visitor Restrictions At Hospitals And Nursing Homes
State Rep. Ed Lewis had just hours to say goodbye.In March 2020, his 89-year-old mother had to go to the hospital after suffering from a fall. Lewis’ sister was their mother’s primary caregiver, but in the pandemic’s first days as hospitals restricted visitors, family members weren’t allowed to stay with her. Lewis and his family were told their mother was doing fine, but then received an urgent call from the hospital saying she was dying. The hospital said they could see her if they arrived within three hours, Lewis said. “I was able to get there and say goodbye to my mom. And all that she could say was, ‘Help me,’” Lewis said. “And this is what I’m here for, is to help someone else whose mom would be found in the same situation.” (Weinberg, 4/13)
Encouraging news about paid parental leave in Colorado and Texas —
The 19th:
Colorado Could Be First State To Guarantee Paid Family Leave To Lawmakers
The Colorado legislature is on the cusp of guaranteeing 12 weeks of paid parental leave to its lawmakers, which would make the state’s policy one of the most generous of its kind — and the first to be codified. The Colorado Senate approved the bill in early April, and a key legislative leader in the Colorado House said the proposal is expected to advance in that chamber in the next few weeks. The bill would offer an additional four weeks of paid leave to lawmakers who experience pregnancy or childbirth complications. (Rodriguez, 4/13)
Houston Chronicle:
City Council Unanimously Approves Paid Parental Leave For Houston Employees After Decade-Long Push
City employees will have access to paid parental leave for the first time beginning in May after a decade-long push to adopt the family-friendly policy that advocates hope will help the city attract and retain working parents. City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the new leave policy, which will give workers who have been with the city for at least six months up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. The policy also includes paid time off during pregnancy for certain health matters. (Mishanec, 4/13)
