Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says 'woke medicine' threatens 'social well-being'



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he believes "woke medicine" poses a significant risk to "social well-being," because the public's trust is being eroded.

During an interview with Glenn Beck, DeSantis noted that in the past he automatically had respect for individuals who had "MD" next to their name — but he said now much of "the medical education is going woke. Ideology is really dominating. We saw it all throughout COVID and you see it in this issue," he said in reference to gender transition measures for children.

The proponents of radical leftist gender ideology often use terms like "gender-affirming care" when discussing gender transition measures like surgeries and hormones.

"If a 14-year-old can't get a tattoo, that child should not be able to take puberty blockers or mutilate their body by getting a sex change," a tweet on the governor's "@GovRonDeSantis" Twitter account declares. "Gender-affirming care is a euphemism for disfiguring kids."

\u201cIf a 14-year-old can\u2019t get a tattoo, that child should not be able to take puberty blockers or mutilate their body by getting a sex change. \n\nGender-affirming care is a euphemism for disfiguring kids.\u201d
— Ron DeSantis (@Ron DeSantis) 1660683600

DeSantis, a conservative Republican governor who took office in 2019, is currently running for re-election during the Sunshine State's 2022 gubernatorial election contest. He has become an enormously popular figure on the political right and is widely viewed as someone who could be a potential future presidential contender.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried, who is one of the individuals competing in the state's Democratic gubernatorial primary contest, has claimed that "DeSantis is the most dangerous governor in the country."

Earlier this year, the governor earned the ire of leftists around the country by signing legislation that included a provision that prohibits teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

"Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards," the law states.

Florida will bar Medicaid coverage for gender reassignment surgeries, hormones



Florida will prohibit Medicaid coverage for various gender reassignment measures such as surgeries, puberty blockers, hormones, hormone antagonists, and procedures that would change primary or secondary sex characteristics.

The rule, which marks a blow against radical leftist gender ideology, will go into effect later this month on August 21.

"Throughout this process ⁦@AHCA_FL [Florida Agency for Health Care Administration] has remained committed to following the evidence in the treatment of gender dysphoria, rather than the eminence of a medical society or association. Our focus will always be on paving the way for a healthier Florida," tweeted Brock Juarez, communications director for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

Media reports discussing the state's move used the term "gender-affirming" to refer to the gender transition measures that will not be covered by Florida Medicaid. A Politico headline read, "Florida bans Medicaid from covering gender-affirming treatments," while a Washington Post headline declared, "Florida to bar Medicaid coverage for those seeking gender-affirming care."

"'Gender affirming care' is not standard medical terminology. It's propaganda. The media should stop using left-wing talking points," Juarez tweeted.

Several groups issued a joint statement expressing staunch opposition to the rule.

"Lambda Legal, Southern Legal Counsel, Florida Health Justice Project, and National Health Law Program denounce Florida's cruel effort to strip transgender Floridians on Medicaid of the ability to access essential, medically necessary, and often lifesaving medical care," the groups said in the statement. "This discriminatory and medically unsound rule will take effect on August 21, 2022, putting transgender people in jeopardy of losing access to critical gender-affirming health care services."

Leftists were outraged earlier this year by the approval of legislation in the Sunshine State that included a provision that prohibits teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade.

"Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards," the law states.

Alabama legislature approves measure that makes it a felony to provide gender reassignment surgery or meds to people under 19



The Alabama state legislature has passed a bill that would make it a felony to prescribe or administer puberty blockers or gender transition hormones to individuals younger than 19 — it would also make it a felony to conduct gender reassignment surgeries on individuals in that age range.

The bill also states that teachers and others at public and private schools may not hold back information from a parent related to a child's feelings that their gender identity does not align with their biological sex.

While many Americans would support this type of legislation as a common sense way of protecting children, not everyone shares that view.

The Associated Press reported that Democratic state Rep. Neil Rafferty, who is gay, seemed to struggle to restrain his anger and keep his composure as legislators headed to the vote.

"This is wrong," Rafferty said, according to the AP. "Y'all sit there and campaign on family being the foundation of our nation ... but what this bill is doing is totally undermining that. It’s totally undermining family rights, health rights and access to health care."

The state legislature has also approved another piece of legislation that would mandate that pubic K-12 schools require people to utilize multiple occupancy bathrooms that align with their biological sex. The measure would also prohibit teaching students about sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The pieces of legislation now head to Republican Gov. Kay Ivey.

Liberals around the country have recently been in an uproar over a Florida law that includes a provision that prohibits teaching students about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

Florida state Rep. Randy Fine (R) has said that in the next session he plans to push legislation to outlaw the provision of gender reassignment surgery and drugs to minors.

"I've had enough of this nonsense. Next session, I will help shepherd legislation to make it illegal to provide drugs or surgery to a minor for the purpose of alleged 'gender assignment.' The legislation will make it felony child abuse punishable by prison and loss of medical license," Fine noted on social media.

"If an adult wants to self-mutilate their body in pursuit of the fiction that they can defy both G-d and science, more power to them -- so long as they don't expect me to pay for it. But no child should be put in the position of making fundamentally life-altering decisions before they are of the age of majority," Fine declared.

Florida state Rep. Randy Fine plans to push legislation to make it felony child abuse to give minors gender reassignment surgery or drugs



Florida state Rep. Randy Fine said that he plans to push legislation to make it felony chid abuse to give kids drugs or surgeries for gender reassignment.

"I've had enough of this nonsense. Next session, I will help shepherd legislation to make it illegal to provide drugs or surgery to a minor for the purpose of alleged 'gender assignment.' The legislation will make it felony child abuse punishable by prison and loss of medical license. This legislation would not affect mental counseling," Fine, a Republican, declared on social media.

"If an adult wants to self-mutilate their body in pursuit of the fiction that they can defy both G-d and science, more power to them -- so long as they don't expect me to pay for it. But no child should be put in the position of making fundamentally life-altering decisions before they are of the age of majority," he noted. "I can call myself a porcupine, but that doesn't make it so. It is time for us to dispense with this fantasy -- one that is turning our women's sports into a joke and our schools into a cesspool."

Fine is up for re-election later this year, and the state's 2023 session won't commence until next year.

While many Floridians would likely support such legislation to protect kids, some state Democrats have already decried the proposal.

Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith said that Fine's proposal ought to "shock the conscience."

"Florida Republicans are on a dangerous course, retaliating against any person or business who expresses support for the LGBTQ+ community," Smith declared. "This latest threat to criminalize parents and doctors who provide life-saving care for LGBTQ youth should shock the conscience of all Floridians."

Democratic state Rep. Anna V. Eskamani called Fine's plan "dangerous" and said it would hurt "marginalized kids."

Republicans are on a dangerous course, retaliating against ANY person or business who expresses support for the LGBTQ+ community. This latest threat to criminalize parents and doctors who provide LIFE-SAVING CARE for LGBTQ youth should shock the conscience of all Floridians.pic.twitter.com/mj7SIUy3eR
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@Rep. Carlos G Smith) 1649103825


marginalized kids* \n\nAlso reminder: \u201cData indicate that 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide, with suicidality highest among transgender youth.\u201d \n\nHelp solve problems, stop creating more of them.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345113/
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani \ud83d\udd28 (@Rep. Anna V. Eskamani \ud83d\udd28) 1649089993

Biden executive order provides free transgender surgery to military members



Transgender surgery for active military personnel and veterans will be paid for by American taxpayers thanks to an executive order signed by President Joe Biden.

Biden signed the executive order — "Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform" — on Jan. 25, which repeals an Obama-era policy that banned federally funded gender reassignment surgery, according to the Washington Examiner.

Biden's order states that the military "thrives when it is composed of diverse Americans who can meet the rigorous standards for military service, and an inclusive military strengthens our national security."

"It is my conviction as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces that gender identity should not be a bar to military service," Biden declared. "Moreover, there is substantial evidence that allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military does not have any meaningful negative impact on the Armed Forces."

Recent Department of Defense memos confirm free gender reassignment surgery would be added to the military benefits package.

"This revised policy will also ensure all medically-necessary transition related care authorized by law is available to all Service members," Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough sent an order to VA employees, saying, "Perform an assessment of the necessary steps to eliminate the exclusion of 'gender alteration' (gender affirmation surgery) in the medical benefits package."

In February, McDonough ordered a top-down review of department policies to ensure the VA was complying with Biden's executive order against any discrimination against transgender service members.

"My goal as secretary is to make sure VA is welcoming to all veterans, including our transgender veterans," McDonough said.

TRICARE, the military's health insurance provider, lists hormone replacement therapy and psychotherapy for gender dysphoria as "covered services."

"TRICARE generally doesn't cover surgery for gender dysphoria," the health care provider states on its website. "However, active duty service members may request a waiver if their provider deems surgery medically necessary."

A 2019 report from USA Today revealed that the "Pentagon has spent nearly $8 million to treat more than 1,500 transgender troops since 2016, including 161 surgical procedures." The investigation stated that "1,071 service members have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Public Health Service on active duty and in the reserve force."

Gender reassignment surgery can cost more than $100,000.

A 2017 report found there are more than 134,000 veterans and 15,000 service members who identify as transgender.

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), who is an Iraq War veteran and sits on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, supports transgender individuals serving in the military, but disputes American taxpayers funding sex-change surgeries.

"This is radical and new territory for a presidential administration to force taxpayers to fund sexual reassignment surgeries for those in the military," Banks told the Examiner. "I'm compassionate toward those individuals who want to undergo an elective surgery of this nature, but taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook to pay for it. It's constitutionally dubious that Congress hasn't passed these measures, but the administration, in a radical way, is pushing through this agenda. I sit on the committee that should debate these issues."