During a House hearing, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and Representative Mary Miller engaged in a heated debate over gender reassignment surgeries, with Miller accusing Becerra of potentially withholding funds from hospitals that refuse such procedures on religious grounds.
### **HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and GOP Lawmaker Clash Over Transgender Surgeries**
Catholic organizations and other conservative groups are condemning Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra's alleged withholding of federal funds from hospitals that decline to perform transgender surgeries based on religious objections.
During a heated House hearing on Wednesday, Republican Representative Mary Miller confronted Becerra, demanding a commitment not to block funding for doctors or hospitals that refuse to provide "gender-affirming care" due to religious beliefs.
Becerra responded by differentiating between individual doctors and healthcare systems, stating that doctors with religious objections are not required to offer transgender surgeries under the new guidelines. However, he emphasized that healthcare facilities violating the law by withholding required services would not receive federal funding.
Miller continued to press Becerra on the potential impact on faith-based hospitals where many doctors are employed. Becerra reiterated that religious objections would be respected, but facilities found to be in violation could face consequences.
### **Conservative Groups Outraged**
CatholicVote President Brian Burch denounced Becerra's alleged targeting of Catholics and faith-based healthcare institutions, including numerous Catholic hospital systems nationwide. He accused the Biden administration of hostility towards religious institutions and called for a stand against their actions.
Solidarity HealthShare President Chris Faddis expressed concern that the HHS rule, which prohibits discrimination in health programs receiving federal funds based on various factors including LGBTQ+ status, undermines religious freedom. He highlighted that the rule mandates gender transition surgeries, potentially violating the faith of religious doctors and healthcare systems.
Katy Talento, executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, condemned the rule for forcing hospitals to provide transgender surgeries or risk losing funding for essential services like Medicaid and Medicare. She urged hospitals to challenge the rule legally and Americans to reject "this wicked gender ideology."
### **Walker Wildmon's Condemnation**
American Family Association Vice President Walker Wildmon declared that the Biden administration's agenda seeks to alter young people's bodies and promote sterilization, which he opposes. He encouraged hospitals to resist the rule and urged Americans to denounce "this wicked gender ideology."
Fox News reached out to HHS for comment, but a response has not yet been received.
