Posted on 02/25/2021 11:58:57 AM PST by RandFan
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is facing criticism for his questioning of one of President Biden’s health nominees, Rachel Levine, a former state health official who would be the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate.
Paul characterized gender-affirming care, including surgical treatments for transgender individuals, as “genital mutilation,” a description not supported by mainstream health care experts.
“It is really critical to me that our nominees be treated with respect and that our questions focus on their qualifications and the work ahead of us, rather than ideological and harmful misrepresentations like those we heard from Senator Paul earlier,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the chairwoman of the Senate Health Committee, which considered Levine’s nomination Thursday.
Levine was nominated to be the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, a role that primarily oversees the agency's public health initiatives.
Levine, a pediatrician, previously served as the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. While other senators questioned Levine on public health issues, including mental health and COVID-19, Paul focused on the treatment of transgender youth.
Paul specifically said Levine supports surgeries for transgender children, a misleading claim that has surfaced in conservative media and social media in recent days.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health says genital surgery should not be carried out until patients reach adulthood. In 2015, Levine said during a public event that surgical treatment is not recommended before age 18. In 2017, she said there are "some procedures" that might be done before 18.
“Transgender medicine is a very complex and nuanced field with robust research and standards of care that have been developed,” Levine said to Paul, though she didn't specifically answer his question.
If she is confirmed, she added, she would be happy to discuss the standard of care for transgender individuals and minors.
Paul also criticized the use of reversible puberty blockers, which can be used for adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria as a way to give them time before making more permanent decisions, like surgery, in adulthood.
Research has shown puberty blockers, which are reversible, can reduce suicidal thoughts in transgender adolescence.
"Rand Paul chose devotion to anti-LGBTQ extremist groups over substance and the health of our nation — and does not deserve to hold public office,” said Ruben Gonzales, executive director of the LGBTQ Victory Institute.
“His remarks echo the talking points of the same organizations who said gay men deserved AIDS and that LGBTQ people should be criminalized. He explicitly attacked vulnerable trans youth for his own perceived political gain and it was a disgrace. Dr. Levine is an extremely qualified nominee whose experience can help America effectively tackle this pandemic, but he took this opportunity to give voice to hate groups instead."
Rand simply pointed out that not only does the Emperor have no clothes, he is also a nitwit.
This is backwards. Answer the questions now, before confirmation.
S/he cannot answer because it reveals their agenda.
Isaiah 5:20: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
No bias in this article. No, sir.
Criticized by losers that don’t matter.
The story seems to omit that Paul is a graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine. His knowledge and experience in medicine should be enough to give him enough credibility to ask relevant questions.
Barbarism pseudo-science based on politics. This is absolute pure evil.
This country is a freak show.
Research has shown puberty blockers, which are reversible, can reduce suicidal thoughts in transgender adolescence.”
well, then, there you go!
Actually, he does, but they're girl's clothes.
Where's my eye bleach?
This is a really poorly written article about what was really said. The author is mis-leading on the facts.
“Paul specifically said Levine supports surgeries for transgender children, a misleading claim . . .”
Richard/Rachel Levine had a great opportunity to deny it. But he didn’t.
Video here:
https://youtu.be/6I6xLx7hgWM
I think Levine should have been put on the griddle for announcing a policy in Pennsylvania to place active COVID patients in nursing homes on the same week that HE took HIS mother out of a nursing home to get her out of harm’s way. Levine’s actions illustrates that HE knew the results of that disastrous policy.
Only thing that would have been better...
If Dr. Rand Paul stood, pointed and laughed at the Emperor doctor’s dress, long hair, lack of tallywhacker and said : those clothes don’t change your jersey letter, man.
I guess he could have done the honk honk thing to that man but his fake tatas are ugly.
Anyone ask about that?
Criticizing for questioning?
Shouldn’t they be able to defend themselves by answering the question with a logical response?
Apparently not, that’s why censorship is used by the left.
Rachel Levine is a mentally ill lunatic. The fact that the good people of this former Nation are forced to deal with this circus side show is grounds for open warfare!
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