HHS Sec. Says Biden Admin. Will Withhold Hospital Grants from States that Ban Mutilation of Kids

BANKS: “This spring HHS released a 112 page report claiming that gender affirmation, including social transition, changing one’s name, pronoun and/or appearance is appropriate and beneficial for gender minority children and adolescents, according to this report. The report recommends cutting federal funds from states with, quote, ‘policies that stigmatize transgender children, including by denying them access to medically necessary health care,’ end quote. Mr. Secretary is does this mean that HHS is seriously threatening to withhold hospital grants from states like my own, if they refuse to go along with surgeries or — or puberty blockers for kids?”

Becerra: “Congressman, we’re going to protect the rights of any American to get the health care they’re entitled to. And if someone tries to stop them from that that’s a violation of the law.”

BANKS: “So you would withhold hospital grants from states like mine that ban transgender sex reassignment surgeries for minors? I mean, that — that’s what the report says clearly.”

Becerra: “We will — we will protect the rights of any individual to receive the health care they’re entitled to. And we will take action against anyone who tries to discriminate this person.”

BANKS: “So that’s a — that’s a yes.”