In the far-left bastion of Oregon, parents are in danger of losing some major input regarding the healthcare of their children. HB2002, brought forth by Andrea Valderrama and Travis Nelson, both Portland-area Democrats, would allow children to obtain contraception, receive sex-change therapies, and even receive abortions without their parents’ consent.
The bill has 35 sponsors in total, all Democrats. It would appear to make parents’ wishes null with respect to their child’s healthcare regarding reproductive or “gender reassignment” issues, and would even make it a crime for healthcare providers to disclose such treatments to the guardians of minors who request it.
In an April 13 meeting of the state’s Ways and Means Committee, State Senator Tim Knopp asked, “so a 10-year-old could make that decision on their own?”
Attorney Lori Anne Sills answered simply, “Yes.”
Healthcare providers are banned even from telling parents that their child has been treated, according to the terms of the legislation.
“If a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or naturopathic physician provides reproductive health care information or services to a minor as described in ORS 109.640 (2), the physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or naturopathic physician may not disclose to the minor’s parent or legal guardian information regarding the information and services provided,” states Section 9 of the legislation.
Exceptions can be made if the minors authorize a disclosure to their parents in writing.
While many states have enacted bans against gender reassignment for children, Oregon it seems, is joining California and Washington state in going the exact opposite direction. Also, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, it seems that the Beaver State is looking to strongly codify abortions for all ages.
“While there’s a lot in the landscape that’s changing when it comes to health and gender-affirming care in the rest of the country,” said Cassie Purdy of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon. “I really think that we can look at this bill as a continuation of what we know Oregon stands for.”
While other states, including neighboring Idaho, have strengthened laws against abortion in the wake of last year’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, Oregon is taking the opposite road.
“We obviously can’t control the laws of other states,” Purdy said. “We can do everything we can to make sure that folks who are licensed in Oregon are able to do their jobs.”
HB2002 is wide-ranging legislation in that it is also very strong regarding so-called gender-affirming care.
“Folks may think of this as multiple bills, but it’s really one package bill because of the … connection to privacy, body autonomy, and protections for all of our communities,” said Seth Johnstone, an Oregon-based transgender activist.
If passed as is, the bill would also expand the definition as to what is “medically necessary” with regard to sex reassignments. For example, procedures such as electrolysis, or permanent facial hair removal, now deemed cosmetic and not generally covered by insurance, could become covered under law.
The badly outnumbered GOP in Oregon seems united against the legislation, but it’s obviously an uphill climb.
“We need to be careful — this is about our kids,” said said Republican Ed Diehl during a March hearing on the bill. “We’re going to look back 10 years from now and say ‘My god, what did we do?’”
Democrats hold a commanding 17-12 edge in the Oregon Senate with one independent, and a 35-25 advantage in the House. Without significant Democrat defections, the bill in some form appears certain of passage. Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat and outspoken lesbian, is a good bet to sign the bill if it passes.
So, while some states such as Tennessee and Indiana are passing laws to protect children from needless and dangerous transgender ideology, states such as Oregon are working hard to go as far as they can in the opposite direction.
Is it any wonder that a large chunk of Oregon wants to leave it for Idaho? Thus far 11 rural Oregon counties have voted to explore a move to neighboring Idaho — a state many rural Oregonians believe better aligns with their values. Wallowa County in the far northeast of the state is set to vote on the possibility in May.
