GOP lawmakers introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal the Biden Department of Health and Human Services’ rule that forces taxpayers to fund transgender surgeries.
Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Doug LaMalfa of California put forth the CRA resolution to overturn HHS’s new definition of “sex discrimination” in health programs like Medicaid and Medicare and private insurance.
“The Biden administration is mutilating the very meaning of ‘sex’ to include gender identity and sexual orientation via radical executive fiat,” Mr. Roy said.
“Americans should not be forced to fund transgender ‘health care’ with their premiums and tax dollars — and health care providers should not be pressured to provide these services.”
The Biden administration’s ruling includes provisions that would compel faith-based organizations to provide transgender surgeries and potentially abortion procedures, the GOP lawmakers warn.
The Biden policy, if it goes into effect, would also mandate that insurance covers gender transition procedures and overrule any state law that has banned gender transition services.
Mr. LaMalfa called the rule a “baseless and unscientific re-interpretation of the definition of ‘sex’” and that it “will no doubt be used by the Biden administration to force people and organizations to pay for products and procedures that violate their beliefs.”
The House resolution has nearly 20 co-sponsors.
Republicans in the Senate introduced companion legislation to the House resolution by Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas. Congress has 60 days to overturn the new Biden rule after its finalization before it can go into effect nationwide.
If the House and Senate both pass a resolution of disapproval within this timeline the rule becomes void unless the president vetoes the resolution.
“Time is of the essence; we will fight like hell to overturn this radical ruling by Joe Biden’s HHS,” Mr. Marshall said. “This is a dangerous abuse of power. Our Founding Fathers would be rolling over in their graves if they knew that the president of the United States was trying to fund sex-change surgeries at the taxpayer’s expense.”
The Health and Human Services Department unveiled its final rule on April 27 expanding the definition of “sex” under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act to include “gender identity,” raising alarms about health care providers being compelled to provide sex-change drugs and procedures despite rising concerns about their use.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra called the decision reversing the Trump-era policy “a giant step forward for this country toward a more equitable and inclusive health care system,” while conservatives accused the administration of placing politics above medical science.
Mr. Becerra added, “I am very proud that our Office for Civil Rights is standing up against discrimination, no matter who you are, who you love, your faith or where you live. Once again, we are reminding Americans we have your back.”
The final rule comes at a time when other countries are walking back their support of gender-transition drugs and surgeries for minors. The Cass Review, a landmark four-year U.K. study into gender medicine released in early April, states that studies show “remarkably weak evidence” to support such treatment.
Western European countries including Finland, Norway and Sweden have placed restrictions on such treatment for those under 18, while the National Health Service in England banned puberty blockers as of April 1 for gender transitions.
More than 20 states have prohibited gender-identity drugs and surgeries for adolescents and teens, a stance at odds with the Biden administration and its support for “critical, medically necessary care for transgender youth.”
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.