(UPDATED, 2:30 p.m., 7/12/24) The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) will stop providing gender transition surgeries and hormones for all patients, including adults, due to a new law signed in May.
According to the law, “public funds may not be used directly or indirectly for gender transition procedures.”
MUSC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Patrick J. Cawley confirmed the news in a Friday statement to Statehouse Report. “MUSC Health funds are public funds,” he said. “We are prohibited from providing gender transition services to all patients.”
At the time the proposed law was being debated, supporters touted it as a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, not adults.
“I think this is a good idea to keep our young people safe and healthy,” Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters in January. “If they want to make those decisions later when they’re adults, then that’s a different story, but we must protect our young people from irreversible decisions.”
Chase Glenn, executive director of the Alliance for Full Acceptance (AFFA), today told Statehouse Report that MUSC’s broad interpretation of the law is “unfortunate” but not completely unexpected.
“We’re extremely disappointed MUSC has landed on this interpretation of the law,” Glenn said. “But by putting this vague language in the bill, legislators have made providers fearful that they might be committing a felony crime by providing this care.”
Glenn, a transgender man who relies on MUSC for medical care, said he’s just one of about 300 patients who will be impacted by MUSC’s decision. He recommended that anyone in need of a new provider visit the Campaign for Southern Equality website for assistance.
“AFFA has partnered with the Campaign for Southern Equality to provide this service,” Glenn said. “They have a special fund and a patient navigator to help people find a new provider.”
In other recent news:
New S.C. law expands access to childcare job opportunities. South Carolina leaders have pledged to make childcare more affordable and widely available for families with a new law.
State budget provision bans cell phones in classrooms. The state budget also mandates that school districts need to implement an anti-phone policy in order to receive state funding.
Group organizing convention to alter U.S. Constitution failed to get S.C. funding. Phoenix Correspondence Commission, a quasi-government entity based outside of Sacramento, Calif. seeking to amend the U.S. Constitution, was denied $50,000 from the South Carolina state budget by Gov. Henry McMaster.
State senator secures $300K in state budget for domestic violence shelter. A Lowcountry domestic violence shelter is getting financial help from this year’s state budget thanks to Sen. Deon Tedder, D-Charleston.
Retired teachers could help S.C. educator shortage. Schools across South Carolina are dealing with challenges in finding qualified, certified teachers, increasing the state’s educator shortage to unprecedented levels. Now, districts are looking toward retired teachers to help address the ongoing issue.
S.C. education department spends $2K on new logo. The state Department of Education is touting a new logo after moving to a new building last month.
Advocates saying S.C. law protecting pregnant workers is working. The state has had fewer complaints than expected, indicating most businesses are offering pregnant workers accommodations.
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