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Louisiana could outlaw hormone treatments and surgeries to treat gender dysphoria under a bill approved by the House Health and Welfare Committee on Tuesday.

Lawmakers voted 14-3 to approve House Bill 463, sponsored by Rep. Michael Firment, R-Grant, to prohibit any physician or medical professional from performing any gender transition procedures or hormone therapy for any person under the age of 18.

The bill would also prohibit the use of public funds for gender assignment procedures. HB463 would further subject physicians who violate the provisions to disciplinary action, while providing a cause for legal action for impacted families.

“This bill is not about hate, or fear, or sexual orientation,” Firment said. “This bill is about protecting innocent children. What this bill does is protect kids from harm who are suffering from gender dysphoria.”

Firment and numerous others who testified cited research suggesting the majority of youth who experience gender dysphoria eventually return to their biological gender with counseling.

Pediatricians both for and against the bill testified in committee, along with youth who reversed their transitions, parents on both sides of the issue, transgender residents and officials from various advocacy groups. Dozens of cards were submitted both for and against HB463.

“In the context of providing gender affirming care, terrible things are being done,” New Iberia pediatrician Maurice Faugot said. “It saddens me to say this, but these physicians and their hospitals have lost their way.”

Other medical professionals explained to the committee limits on child brain functioning and decision making.

Two youth who testified detailed the lifelong health complications they now face as a result of their transitions, which they said was motivated both by encouraging physicians and grooming from online transgender advocates.

Ryan Pasternak, pediatrician at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, defended gender affirming care, saying many patients seeking help are suicidal, and HB463 would make matters worse.

He argued that the “watchful waiting” approach now the standard in European countries would hurt patients.

“Waiting and doing nothing is doing something, and it’s causing harm,” he said.

Several lawmakers on the committee expressed concern that minors could technically receive treatment without parental consent, though Pasternak argued doctors “generally” require it.

Others expressed concerns the state could lose Medicaid funding by approving the bill.

Berwick's final Live After 5 of the season will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday on the riverfront. Soulshine will perform.

On Saturday, the La. 182 bridge will be closed to vehicles 8 a.m.-noon so the bridge may be enjoyed by walkers, runners and bicyclists.
This will be the last opportunity to enjoy the bridge before it is closed for an extensive rehabilitation.

Terrebonne General Health System honored Dr. David Pellegrin, gastroenterologist, as the recipient of the Golden Stethoscope Award. 

The prominent Golden Stethoscope Award publicly recognizes a Terrebonne General physician for exceptional professionalism, integrity and teamwork in caring for patients and families and interacting with hospital staff members and other physicians.

Nominations can be made by physicians, employees, patients, and volunteers.

Two physicians a year are recognized with this award.

Pellegrin has served as a gastroenterologist at Terrebonne General for 30 years. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a sub-specialty in Gastroenterology. 

Pellegrin graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree from Nicholls State University. He continued on to attend medical school at Louisiana State University School of Medicine.

He then completed his internship and residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, followed by his fellowship in gastroenterology at the same institution.

“Thank you for this recognition. I’m truly honored to have been nominated and receive this award,” Pellegrin said.

BATON ROUGE – A House committee on Monday advanced a bill that would make it easier for victims and their families to sue illicit fentanyl distributors and even countries in which the drugs were made.

Lafayette attorney Robert Broussard joined Rep. John Stefanski, R-Crowley, to introduce the House Bill 586, which is intended to help deal with the nationwide increase in fentanyl-related deaths.

Broussard recalled how his daughter, JonTerez “Jaja” Antonia Broussard, was 20 years old when she unintentionally ingested fentanyl-laced drugs and died.

Broussard emphasized that she was the inspiration and motivation behind House Bill 586.

Broussard said the vast majority of fentanyl, a powerful opioid, being moved in the United States comes from China and is shipped through Mexico. Mexican cartels move the illicit fentanyl through the southern border, where it is passed out via American drug routes.

“I am going to sue China, the Mexican cartel and the person who killed my daughter,” Broussard said.

"The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure advanced the bill, which would create a specific civil tort claim over illicit fentanyl distribution. The bill also would shift the burden of proof to the defendants.

Rep. Lawrence Frieman, R- Abita Springs, along with other representatives, shared his condolences with Broussard. Frieman lost his brother to a fentanyl overdose six years ago.

While Frieman believed that taking action against the fentanyl epidemic was a must, he wondered how possible it would be to hold China, Mexico and the Mexican cartels accountable.

Stefanski, who is running for state attorney general, explained that under the bill, the government could seize property in the United States that belongs to China or Mexico.

His goal was to “hold foreign countries accountable for the deaths they are causing.”

“This is about bringing them to their knees and hitting where it hurts,” Broussard said.

Frieman questioned whether this was just symbolic or if it could actually work.

Stefanski’s bill came six days after the Louisiana Senate voted 33-2 to pass Slidell Republican Sen. Sharon Hewitt’s Senate Bill 49.

It would increase the maximum jail sentence from 15 to 40 years for people convicted of operating fentanyl labs.

The House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice advanced a bill by Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, providing instructions about how long criminal sentences should be in cases involving fentanyl trafficking.