The Senate Finance Committee released a report on Tuesday, highlighting the alleged abuse of oversight authority by Republican attorneys general in four states.
According to the report, Attorneys General Ken Paxton of Texas, Todd Rokita of Indiana, Jonathan Skrmetti of Tennessee, and Andrew Bailey of Missouri have been accused of demanding the private medical records of transgender individuals, including minors, as part of a broader effort to restrict access to gender-affirming health care nationwide.
The investigations launched by these attorneys general are said to demand invasive items such as unredacted physical and mental health records, as well as lists of individuals referred for care.
Senate committee (Credits: Washington Blade)
The report suggests that these investigations, framed as civil inquiries into misuse of Medicaid funds or violations of consumer protection laws, are motivated by ideological and political goals.
The Tennessee attorney general’s office clarified that their investigation targeted health care providers rather than patients, citing allegations of manipulating billing codes to avoid insurance coverage limitations.
However, the report argues that these investigations extend beyond state borders, with attorneys general using their oversight authorities to scrutinize transgender medical care across the United States.
The report also highlights lawsuits filed against Attorney General Paxton, including one by PFLAG National and another by Seattle Children’s Hospital, in response to demands for patient records related to gender-affirming care.
Similar actions have been taken by attorneys general in Missouri and Indiana, citing consumer protection laws to justify investigations into transgender clinics.
Senator Ron Wyden (Credits: Rolling Stone)
Senator Ron Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, condemned the actions of these attorneys general, accusing them of terrorizing transgender teens and persecuting individuals for political gain.
In a letter to health care industry trade groups, Wyden called for the protection of patients’ private medical records from what he described as abusive legal demands by state attorneys general.
The release of the report and subsequent actions by Democratic lawmakers reflect growing concerns over the targeting of transgender individuals and the erosion of their access to essential health care services.
As the debate over transgender rights and health care continues, the actions of these attorneys general are likely to face further scrutiny and legal challenges.
