(Zenit).
The State of Florida and Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing the Catholic Medical Association filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Monday after the agency adopted a rule Monday that forces medical professionals and insurance providers to perform or pay for harmful “gender-transition” procedures or face severe financial consequences. ADF attorneys joined Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody in immediately challenging the Biden administration’s unlawful rule. The Biden administration published a rule change Monday that redefines “sex” in federal health care nondiscrimination law to include “gender identity.” As announced, the rule change forces CMA members to lose federal funding or risk severe penalties for treating and referring to patients by their biological sex. The rule also requires Florida to follow unscientific standards of care and limits the state’s power to set protective standards of care for health professionals. The State of Florida and ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit the same day the rule was officially published.