Judge criticizes Florida’s ban on trans healthcare, citing “bigotry” and harm

In a narrow ruling Tuesday, a Florida judge blocked enforcement of the state’s ban on affirming transgender care, calling the rule “an exercise in politics, not good medicine.” US District Judge Robert Hinkle granted a preliminary injunction against Florida surgeon general Joseph Ladapo, the Florida Board of Medicine, the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine and other state leaders and will allow parents who challenged the state access to medical care for their transgender children as the constitutionality of the ban is debated in court. “Plaintiffs’ adolescent children will be irreparably…

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Federal judge halts enforcement of Florida’s transgender care bans for some families

A federal judge on Tuesday ordered Florida to stop enforcing its bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth for three families who defy the rules. The ruling stems from a lawsuit initially filed against state medical boards and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo by a group of Florida parents and their transgender children. The plaintiffs amended their suit in May to seek an injunction on the bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that put medical board restrictions into the statute. Under the injunction, three of the seven parents who contested the…

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Florida’s recent immigration law could have a major impact on families and the state’s economy

In May 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 1718 into law. Set to take effect July 1, 2023, the legislation makes sweeping changes to state immigration policies in response to expected growth in border immigration activity following the end of Title 42 restrictions on border entry that are been implemented during the COVID pandemic. Among other actions, the law requires hospitals to collect information on immigration status, creates penalties for hiring undocumented immigrants, extends employment verification screening requirements to all employers with 25 or more employees, voids…

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