Health Care Bills Advance in FL, Veto Override of Transgender Care Ban in OH & More

Health Care Workforce and Mental Health Services Bills Advance in FL

Florida Senate committees advanced a pair of bills (SB 7016 and SB 7018) aimed at bolstering the state’s health care workforce and expanding access to mental health services. The measures, which are a top priority for Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R), would allocate $797 million for a variety of programs, including those to increase the number of graduate medical students, encourage doctors and other health care professionals to work in rural parts of the state and increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, particularly for mental health and disability services. (FLORIDA POLITICS, LEXISNEXIS STATE NET)

OH House Overrides Veto of Transgender Care Ban

Ohio’s House voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) veto of a bill (HB 68) that would bar doctors from prescribing puberty blockers, hormones and other care for transgender minors. The state’s Senate is expected to take the same action on Jan. 24 (COLUMBUS DISPATCH)

Court Gives Go-Ahead for AL’s Transgender Care Ban

The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a lower court’s injunction blocking a 2022 Alabama law banning gender-affirming care for minors from taking effect. The law has been on hold for the past 18 months pending a decision on whether the full court would reconsider a ruling by a three-judge panel of the court vacating the injunction. (ASSOCIATED PRESS, ALABAMA REFLECTOR)

LGBTQ+ Advocates Challenge LA Transgender Care Ban

LGBTQ+ advocates filed a lawsuit seeking to block legislation (HB 648) enacted in Louisiana last year banning gender-affirming care for those under 18. The suit alleges the law violates the right to privacy provision of the Louisiana Constitution by hindering the ability of transgender individuals and their families to make personal medical decisions. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

—Compiled by SNCJ Managing Editor KOREY CLARK

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