Send to rshipp@le.utah.gov

Subject: Opposition to HB 174 (Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments)

Dear Representative Shipp,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent in your district. Although I understand that his bill has already passed the House, I am writing to strongly urge you to discontinue your support of HB 174. I’m frankly surprised at your promotion of  such a bill since parental rights have long been a core principle of the Republican Party, often displayed by advocating for parents’ rights in their children’s education and healthcare, and opposing  “governmental overreach.” And yet, the latter is exactly what this bill proposes. HB174 plans to place the state legislature in the place of parents, denying them the right to act in what they (together with their doctors, psychologists, and children) believe are their children’s welfare.These children are currently receiving safe and established medical procedures, but this bill would force minors to undergo a “tapering off” process against the advice of their doctors, the consent of their parents, and the wishes of the children concerned. 

Removing the 2023 grandfather clause, HB 174:

• Interferes with the parent-child relationship by overstepping a family’s right to make private medical decisions.
• Contradicts established medical standards that warn against the abrupt or forced cessation of hormonal treatments.
• Threatens the mental health of vulnerable Utah youth who are currently stable and thriving under their current care plans.

I believe medical decisions should remain between families and their healthcare providers, not the state legislature. Please protect Utah families and abandon this harmful expansion of the existing ban.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our district.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Address/Zip Code]

Send to: Senator Evan Vickers evickers@le.utah.gov

Subject: Opposition to HB 174 (Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments)

Dear Senator Vickers,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent in your district. Although I understand that his bill has already passed the House, I am writing to strongly urge you to vote no on  HB 174. Parental rights have long been a core principle of the Republican Party, often displayed by advocating for parents’ rights in their children’s education and healthcare, and opposing  “governmental overreach.” And yet, the latter is exactly what this bill proposes. HB174 plans to place the state legislature in the place of parents, denying them the right to act in what they (together with their doctors, psychologists, and children) believe are their children’s welfare.These children are currently receiving safe and established medical procedures, but this bill would force minors to undergo a “tapering off” process against the advice of their doctors, the consent of their parents, and the wishes of the children concerned. 

Removing the 2023 grandfather clause, HB 174:

• Interferes with the parent-child relationship by overstepping a family’s right to make private medical decisions.
• Contradicts established medical standards that warn against the abrupt or forced cessation of hormonal treatments.
• Threatens the mental health of vulnerable Utah youth who are currently stable and thriving under their current care plans.

I believe medical decisions should remain between families and their healthcare providers, not the state legislature. Please protect Utah families and abandon this harmful expansion of the existing ban.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our district.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Address/Zip Code]

Call: 435-590-1073

Staffer: Hello, Representative Shipp’s office. How can I help you?

You: Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a constituent from [Your City/Zip Code]. I’m calling to ask the Representative to please vote against  HB 174, the Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments.

Staffer: Thank you. Would you like to leave a brief comment on why?

You: Yes. I’m deeply concerned that this bill takes away the rights of parents, which have long been championed by the Republican Party, and seeks to force parents to discontinue medical care for their children that was previously protected. Compelling children to stop medical treatments against their doctor’s advice is dangerous and intrusive. I hope that Representative Shipp will discontinue his sponsorship of this bill, vote “NO”,  and instead protect parental rights and the health of Utah’s youth.

Staffer: I will pass that along. Thank you.

Call: Senator Evan Vicker’s Office at 801-538-1035

Staffer: Hello, Senator  Vicker’s office. How can I help you?

You: Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a constituent from [Your City/Zip Code].I’m calling to ask the Senator  to please vote no on  HB 174, the Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments.

Staffer: Thank you. Would you like to leave a brief comment on why?

You: Yes. I’m deeply concerned that this bill takes away the rights of parents, which have long been championed by the Republican Party, and seeks to force parents to discontinue medical care for their children that was previously protected. Compelling children to stop medical treatments against their doctor’s advice is dangerous and intrusive. I hope that Senator Vickers  will vote no on this bill and instead protect parental rights and the health of Utah’s youth.

Staffer:I will pass that along. Thank you.

Send to:  rshipp@le.utah.gov

Subject: Opposition to HB 193 (Transgender Medical Procedures Amendments)

Dear Representative [Representative’s Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent in your district. I am writing to strongly urge you to oppose HB 193, the Transgender Medical Procedures Amendments. This bill represents a significant overreach into the healthcare of Utahns by dictating what medical treatments may  be covered by public funds. 

Specifically, HB 193:

Leaves individuals without essential care: By prohibiting public funds from covering gender-affirming care, including hormone treatments and surgical procedures, the bill effectively denies  care to many Utahns who rely on Medicaid or state insurance plans.

Dangers of hormone withdrawal:  For individuals who have already undergone gender affirming surgery and no longer have their original gonads, withdrawing hormones is a medical crisis. Established endocrinology shows that among the the range of effects that individuals denied hormones will experience are: severe bone density loss leading to osteoporosis and risk of fractures; mood instability and cognitive decline likely to lead to severe depression; and possible cardiovascular complications since hormones play a large part in heart health. And for those who are in the pre-surgery stage, withdrawing hormone therapy leads to sever depression and too often suicide

Sets a Dangerous Precedent: Allowing the legislature to pick and choose which safe, established medical procedures are worthy of public funding undermines the integrity of our healthcare systems and the expertise of medical professionals.

I believe that all Utahns, regardless of their gender identity or financial situation, deserve access to comprehensive and evidence-based healthcare. Please protect the health and rights of your constituents by voting NO on HB 193.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our community.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Address/Zip Code]

Call:  Representative Rex Shipp: (435) 590-1073;

Staffer:Hello, Representative Shipp’s office. How can I help you?

You: Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a constituent from [Your City/Zip Code]. I’m calling to ask the Representative to please vote NO on HB 193, the Transgender Medical Procedures Amendments.

Staffer: Thank you. Would you like to leave a brief comment on why?

You: Yes. I’m deeply concerned that HB 193 uses the state budget to target a specific group of people and deny them access to medically necessary care, with potentially severe consequences to health for those unable to pay out of pocket. It’s an inappropriate use of legislative power to override medical standards and restrict healthcare options for those who rely on public insurance. I hope the Representative will stand up for the health and dignity of all Utahns by opposing this bill.

Staffer: I will pass that along to the Representative. Thank you.

You: Thank you for your time. Have a good day.