Dozens testify on Nebraska’s proposed regulations of hormones and puberty blockers
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — State officials heard comments from the public on Tuesday on the proposed regulations on hormones and puberty blockers for minors.
Dozens of people gave their testimony, including patients, doctors and parents of transgender kids.
Many physicians said they are worried about the effect the regulations will have.
“I feel personally insecure as a physician, too,” Dr. Paramvijay Dhalla said. “If I raise my family here, nobody knows what kind of laws will be passed going forward.”
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The regulations were required by the Let them Grow Act, which the Legislature passed in May.
That law banned gender-affirming surgeries for minors but left the regulation of gender-affirming medication to the state’s chief medical officer.
One of the proposed rules is that patients must go through at least 40 hours of therapy before being prescribed puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones.
“We’ve been speaking with impacted individuals across the state in the past few months,” said Grant Friedman, legal fellow with the ACLU of Nebraska. “We’ve heard that these regulations make it very difficult for people to not only access the care that they need but for doctors to be able to provide the care that they have the medical expertise to provide.”
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Seven hours into Tuesday’s hearing, more than 50 people had spoken. Only one spoke in support of the proposed regulations.
Dr. Timothy Tesmer, the state’s chief medical officer, was not at the hearing due to a scheduled surgery.
You can read the proposed regulations below:
