South Carolina Governor Signs Controversial Bill on Gender-Transition Care
COLUMBIA, SC
On Tuesday, South Carolina’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, signed a new law that bans health professionals from offering gender-transition surgeries, prescribing puberty blockers, or managing hormone treatments for patients under 18. This enactment places South Carolina among roughly two dozen states that have enacted similar restrictions on what is often referred to as gender-affirming care for minors. The law is effective immediately.
Key Provisions of the Law
The newly passed legislation, known as House Bill 4624, not only prohibits care for minors but also extends the ban to include adults under 26 who wish to use Medicaid to cover costs associated with such treatments. Additionally, it mandates that teachers, principals, and other school staff must inform parents if a child expresses a desire to go by a name other than their legal name or prefers pronouns that differ from their sex assigned at birth.
A Legislative Journey
Efforts to pass similar laws in South Carolina were attempted but unsuccessful in previous years, specifically in 2021 and 2022 when lawmakers failed to push through legislation in the State House of Representatives. Although a broader bill was considered in 2022, it did not make it past the deadline. However, a clause was included in the state budget that prohibited a pediatric clinic at a public hospital from using state funds for transition care for individuals under 16. Following this, the clinic decided to cease hormonal treatments for anyone under 18.
Support and Opposition
House Republicans prioritized the issue this legislative session. During one committee hearing in January, David Hiott, the House majority leader and co-sponsor of the bill, stated, “When God created us, he created us male and female, that’s it.” He further emphasized the need to oppose what he sees as alterations to this fundamental view.
In contrast, the law has drawn criticism from many healthcare professionals. Dr. Elizabeth Mack, president of the South Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has publicly denounced the measure, asserting that it lacks support from any mainstream medical organizations. She characterized gender-affirming care as “evidence-based, suicide-prevention care,” indicating its critical role in the well-being of transgender and gender-diverse youth.
A Focus on Youth
McMaster, in a social media statement following the bill’s signing, claimed that the new law “protects our state’s children from irreversible gender transition procedures.” He is scheduled to meet with supporters of the legislation in a ceremonial signing next week, further solidifying the law’s significance in the state’s political landscape.
Conclusion
As South Carolina joins the ranks of states implementing stringent laws regarding gender-transition care for minors, the implications of this legislation are set to unfold in the coming months. Healthcare advocates and families affected by the law are likely to voice their concerns over the limitations and potential risks associated with the absence of gender-affirming medical support.
