Ranson opposes bill to ban transgender care in Oklahoma

House Bill 2177, authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore and Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Sallisaw threatens to ban all gender-affirming care including hormonal therapy. The bill was heard in the House Public Health Committee this evening.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater said this bill is not about protecting minors, but about attacking Oklahoma families.

“This is big government. This is an attack on freedom. The state legislature has no business telling a loving parent what is best for their child,” Ranson said. “The authors of the HB 2177 have expanded the bill to force insurance companies to deny gender-affirming healthcare for all Oklahomans, regardless of age.”

Ranson said one of her primary concerns about this bill is government over-reach into the private business of families. Ranson fears that denying the access of life-saving medical care to the transgender community may lead to limiting freedoms of other communities that may disagree with state legislators.

“Access to healthcare is a basic right. Healthcare decisions should be between physicians, patients, and their families. The right to privacy in personal healthcare decisions of all Oklahomans is in jeopardy,” Ranson added.

Ranson was the only legislator to vote against the bill. The bill passed out of the Public Health Committee and is headed to a vote on the house floor.