LINCOLN- After a bi-partisan coalition of state senators met to discuss Sen. Kauth's LB574, a bill that would restrict minors from receiving gender-affirming care, it was reported that little to no common ground was found. Opponents of LB574, some of whom met with their colleagues to discuss potential amendments to LB574, said that there was no real attempt by the other side to reach an agreement. Proponents of the bill who joined the meeting said they went into the discussion in good faith, but couldn't reach a solution that pleased everyone.

The group was comprised of eight state senators, including Kathleen Kauth, Speaker John Arch, John Cavanaugh, John Fredrickson, Lynne Walz, Ben Hansen, Tom Briese, and Teresa Ibach. After just four meetings, however, Sen. Kauth called an end to the discussions. Kauth has yet to introduce her amendment to LB574, but stated in an interview that it includes a grandfather clause that exempts patients currently receiving gender-affirming care from the ban.

Sen. John Cavanaugh, an opponent of the bill, said Kauth's planned amendment doesn't include any of the potential changes discussed during the meetings, and instead argued that she had already had the grandfather clause in mind when drafting LB574. "She comes in with a proposal and leaves with the same proposal," said Sen. Cavanaugh. Kauth claimed that she had ended the meetings after becoming concerned that drastic changes to the bill would affect how much support it received.

For the full article click HERE