One of Wisconsin’s larger health care systems has ended sex reassignment surgeries for adults and children following a directive from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Liberal lawmakers blasted the decision, first reported by Channel 3000 in Madison, as “misguided and dangerous,” while a conservative lawmakers who have championed bills prohibiting the “mutilation” of children called SSM’s change in protocol a “brave” decision.
“I applaud SSM Health’s brave decision to remain consistent with their faith values,” state Representative Barb Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) said in a statement issued Monday. “It is one thing to perform these surgeries on adults, but making such painful and permanent changes to minors is particularly concerning. We are seeing a disturbing uptick in these surgeries that suggest social influences.”
A patient and multiple employees of SSM Health’s Aesthetic Center in Middleton told Channel 3000 the facility recently ended so-called gender-affirming procedures. Ollie Heide, a Madison-area teen born a biological female who identifies as a transgender male, told the news outlet she was in the process of scheduling a “top surgery” with SSM Health.
“I was looking forward to it,” Heide told the news outlet, adding she had a countdown on her phone. “I was counting down the days. I was so excited.”
An official with SSM Health, based in St. Louis, did not return a call on Monday seeking comment.
The Catholic health system’s decision to end sex change surgeries comes after U.S. bishops voted in June to revise their document offering guidance to Catholic health care institutions. The document, obtained by the Catholic News Agency, is titled “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. It states, “Catholic health care services must not perform interventions, whether surgical or chemical, that aim to transform the sexual characteristics of a human body into those of the opposite sex or take part in the development of such procedures.”
The bishops say transgender surgeries and hormone treatments are incompatible with the Catholic Church’s teaching on sex and the dignity of the human person.
State Senator Melissa Agard, a far left Democrat from Madison, blasted SSM’s policy change.
“SSM’s decision to stop providing this vital care is misguided and dangerous. There is no question that gender-affirming care saves lives,” the Senate’s Minority Party Leader said in a statement. “Being able to live a happy and healthy life should be a basic expectation of everyone living here in our community, and I will continue to speak out against SSM’s decision until all our Trans friends and neighbors are able to do just that.”
Dina Nina, the first transgender woman (born a biological male) to be elected to the Madison Common Council, said SSM’s decision was disheartening.
“Instead of cowering to a loud minority, they choose to flippantly disregard the needs of their patients. On the heels of both Dane County and Madison passing Sanctuary status for transgender and the gender expansive community, they turn their backs on many who need care that literally saves lives,” the alderperson said.
At least 19 states had passed bills restricting sex change surgeries and procedures for minors as of June.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) suggested at this year’s state GOP convention that the Republican-controlled Legislature plans to move on legislation that would block sex change surgeries on children.
“We also have legislation that we intend to bring forward about kids and the ability for us to ensure that they are not mutilated,” Vos said.
Liberal Governor Tony Evers, a vocal proponent of such “gender affirming” procedures, would most certainly veto such a bill, as he has threatened to do to with legislation that prevents biological born males from competing in girls and women sports as transgender females in Wisconsin.
“I support our Governor declaring this the ‘Year of Mental Health,’ and would prefer to see solid help for those who are suffering rather than these expensive, agonizing procedures that do nothing to improve the mental and emotional well-being of people,” Dittrich said.
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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
Photo “SSM Health” by SSM Health.
