Legislation to protect children from harmful medical procedures

State Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) introduced Senate Bill 843, the Do No Harm Act, which protects minors from receiving irreparable gender transitioning procedures. The legislation would also prevent state tax dollars from going to these procedures.

"Doctors take an oath to do no harm to those in their care, and sadly some are failing to abide by that promise," said Ward. "The longer we as policy makers wait to enact commonsense protections for our children, more and more children will pay the price."

Under this legislation, doctors would be barred from performing medical procedures that alter a minor's hormonal balance, remove a minor's sex organs, or otherwise change a minor's physical appearance which are harmful to a minor. A healthcare provider would still be able to perform these types of procedures if it is for the purpose of treating a minor's congenital defect, precocious puberty, disease, or physical injury.

This legislation would also prohibit government programs, such as the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid from paying for these types of procedures. An insurer may not provide a health insurance policy to provide coverage for medical procedures prohibited under this bill.

"Children cannot grasp the complexity and consequence of these irreversible medical procedures," said Ward. "The effects of these procedures will stay with these children forever, and such permanent decisions are not ones that our children should be subject to."

The Senate Majority Policy Committee held a hearing on this legislation on April 15 at the Trolleyworks Business Park in Altoona. They received testimony from detransitioners, parents and licensed medical professionals who spoke in unison about the permanent harm that is being done to children because of these procedures. A link to the hearing can be found at https://policy.pasenategop.com/policy-041525/.

This legislation mirrors similar legislation in other states like Tennessee, Ohio, and New Hampshire, and is currently before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for its consideration.

Residents can follow Ward on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenJudyWard and X (Twitter) @SenatorJWard for news about legislation and the 30th Senate District. Contact information for her district offices and other information can be found on her website at SenatorJudyWard.com, and constituents also can sign up for her e-newsletter at SenatorJudyWard.com/enewsletters.