Josh Brecheen: “This amendment prohibits the IHS, Indian Health Services, from providing sex change surgeries at their hospitals…”

“This amendment prohibits the IHS, Indian Health Services, from providing sex change surgeries at their hospitals, clinics, or reimbursing providers who perform those sex change surgeries. IHS is receiving $5.2 billion in appropriations from the bill we are debating. We cannot allow that money to go toward mutilation of individuals, turning them forever into patients of the pharmaceutical industry. If you don't believe this is happening, look no further than the main website for IHS. It has a host of resources for individuals seeking surgery and guidance for so-called care providers. Their website tells you how to acquire surgery, how to pay for it, and where to go on the day of surgery. The IHS has the gall to refer to this as ``gender-affirming care,'' which according to them, ``helps transgender and nonbinary people live as their true selves.'' Cutting off healthy body parts and furthering mental instability is not care. In 2020, a Portland, Oregon, based affiliate of IHS developed a plan to provide sex change surgeries to its patients. It is publicly available online and you can read it. They stated unequivocally their right to provide sex change surgeries to Tribal citizens utilizing Indian Health Services. As of fiscal year 2024, that group is on its second cohort of individuals being operated on. I am one of, I believe, two Republican Members that carry a CDIB card. I am a member of the Choctaw Nation. I find this practice abhorrent. Mr.…”