Iowa GOP pushes for parental choice in education; says gender-affirming care is different

DES MOINES, Iowa — GOP lawmakers' push to ban Iowa kids from receiving gender-affirming care is sparking controversy across the state.

The reason we are seeing this is only politics and not a true serious policy discussion, because it is part of a national playbook that's happening all across the country," House Minority Jennifer Konfrst said.

Across the country, at least 90 bills have been introduced that would prevent minors from receiving this type of health care, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Part of why we are here, where we are today, is that I was surprised to find out that some of our major healthcare providers in the state were actually doing this. When we inquired about it, I think there was a level of surprise amongst the members of our caucus," Speaker of the House Pat Grassley said.

Iowa doctors recently spoke at a hearing to explain treatment like hormones, puberty blockers, and in rare cases, gender affirming surgery, are medically necessary for some youth.

Even though major medical associations back this up, Rep. Grassley tells Iowa's News Now he thinks it's too experimental and claims the long-term impacts are unknown.

I will err on the side of caution when it comes to the minors within the state, again, that's why we did not go past adult. If that's the decision you want to make. But if I'm going to err on one side of this, I want to make sure we are erring to protect the children," Rep. Grassley said.

In Iowa and nationwide, the GOP has prioritized parental choice with a number of bills to allow parents more access and involvement into their child's education.

Now, Democrats want to know where the parental choice is when it comes to their kids' health care.

It is a violation of a parents choice here," Democratic State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott said. "So if we value parents choice, then we need to allow parents to have choices.

Republicans say the two issues aren't playing on the same field.

We don't see surgeries and some of these hormone therapies and puberty blockers as the same type of issue as something that would be going on in our school systems," Rep. Grassley said.

The proposal advanced through before the legislature's first funnel deadline Friday.

But Democrats say whispers at the Capitol indicate a lack of full support from the Republican caucus.

I have Republicans who pull me aside and say "ya, we don't like this stuff but we gotta do it." No ya don't. You don't have to do this. We answer to our constituents, not our leadership, and not the governor," Rep. Konfrst said.