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GeorgeC's avatar

Thank you for the detailed description. It's good to hear a story of a judge ruling to preserve rights and the law. Sadly, this is a clear case where Sen. Durbin's cowardly inability to get past the asinine blue-slip rule will cause pain and suffering for years to come. Red states continue to have empty judgeships that should have been filled by competent judges to dilute the effects of the partisan hacks installed by Cheetolini.

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Jun 13
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Michelle Belmont's avatar

This is fantastic news and a beautifully written argument against what we all know is blatant legislative discrimination. Trans people get called everything from "Satanists" to "imps and demons" and every other insult under the sun during these legislative debates, in more states than just Florida. It's obvious that these laws are fueled by animus, but... ultimately that's what today's Christian conservative policy groups want. They want the "right" (power) to discriminate at will and in legislation, with no penalty or consequence. We cannot give them that power.

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Michelle Belmont's avatar

(Also I'm not intending to throw shade at pagans or Satanists or any other group, the legislators are clearly using these terms as insults, not me.)

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Shelley Powers's avatar

It almost makes me cry to read the writing of a judge who remembers why they entered the field of law. Who remembers what justice really is.

Unfortunately, his decision now goes to the Eleventh.

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GottaJiboof's avatar

Does the ruling address the in person nature of the informed consent process? The prior rules required that informed consent paperwork required by the state must be signed during an in person visit with a clinician. Itโ€™s a huge win that NPs can practice again but the in person piece made telehealth impractical and nearly impossible.

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Chris Geidner's avatar

Yes, in-person consent is still required, but only as to "initiation of treatment." He notes, "As the defendants apparently acknowledge, the statute and rules do not preclude remote communication for other purposes, including, for example, renewal of prescriptions." See pages 81-82 of the ruling.

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GottaJiboof's avatar

Thank you for the quick reply!!!

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NarwhalExpress's avatar

As much as I love all the other parts, this bit is disheartening. The in-person requirement is a barrier to care that is not equally applied to other types of medicine.

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GottaJiboof's avatar

100% agree, this overall amazing news but it's honestly kind of weird considering the stance the judge took that he left this provision in place.

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Susan Linehan's avatar

So nice to have a judge who not only understands the role of animus in much of today's "culture wars" legislation but also sets a clear record, not only distinguishing the case in this way but also including arguments that will be important in any appeal from the 11th Circuit upwards.

As I recall, the North Carolina Supreme Court had a similar showing of animus in its racial gerrymandering case, complete with smoking gun document showing intent to suppress minority votes. Then, of course, the newly elected NC Supremes simply overturned the former court.

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EuphmanKB's avatar

Thanks, Chris. Itโ€™s never been more important for The People to understand the murky details underlying complicated litigation involving perceived social and political issues than it is today. Glad youโ€™re on the case!

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Joe From the Bronx's avatar

I worry about this issue when SCOTUS gets around to deciding it.

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PSOESQ's avatar

Another Judge steps up to ensure the rights of everyone are protected. Judges shouldn't and most don't pick and choose among the classes they protect. Even Trump has the rights he was accorded by a most impressive New York trial Judge.

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Lance Khrome's avatar

Would not *animus* also receive short shrift on appeal to the 11th CA as did "parental rights", or "equal protection", etc., based upon the controlling opinion in *Eknes-Tucker* ? And would the same tRumpy three-judge panel also hear the FL appeal?

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๐“™๐“ช๐“ผ๐“ถ๐“ฒ๐“ท๐“ฎ ๐“ฆ๐“ธ๐“ต๐“ฏ๐“ฎ's avatar

We need more judges like Hinkle. Which ties into what GeorgeC commented. Durbin is absolutely spineless. Thank you for the comprehensive explanation๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€โšง๏ธ๐Ÿฅณ

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