On January 17, 2024, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed H.4624, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and some adults in the state. If we don't stop this bill in the Senate, it will move to the Governor's desk, and then it's only one signature away from becoming law.

The bill is an attempt by extreme lawmakers to interfere with decisions that should be between patients and medical providers. It would:

• Ban medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth under the age of 18 in South Carolina, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

• Prevent all healthcare providers, including mental healthcare providers, from helping transgender youth access this care.

• Ban Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for people of any age, complicating care for transgender adults.

• Require school administrators to “out” transgender students to their parents, potentially putting them in unsafe situations if their parents aren’t supportive.

• Block public funds from being used to cover the cost of transition-related healthcare for youth and adults, putting adults’ access to care at risk as well – including adults who are insured by the state employee healthcare plan from using their healthcare. Some providers who receive public funding may feel forced to cease providing care for ALL transgender adults.

Now is the time to tell your Senator: Reject this cruel bill!