Boren comments on her vote against OU Health Sciences Center funding

On Thursday, the Senate voted on numerous projects recommended by the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding regarding how to spend the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal recovery funds. Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, voted against Senate Bill 3, which included over $100 million for healthcare projects for the University Hospitals Authority and Trust, electronic records, cancer treatment and mobile dental services. Boren criticized the restriction the legislation’s restriction of any facility owned by the University Hospitals Authority and Trust from providing medical care for gender dysphoria patients. 

“This federal funding is critical for addressing our state’s greatest needs, which includes having some of the worst health rankings in the nation, especially for our youth. The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding took great care in deciding which health areas needed the greatest attention only to turn around this week and add this unconstitutional restriction targeting health care providers who are legally and ethically committed to providing care to transgender youth using the latest science and research. In Oklahoma, it always seems we have to pay a bigot tax when we do anything progressive. 

“I couldn’t in good conscience vote for this particular bill because it further empowers religious abuse and bigotry in our state to defame and slander modern medicine and endanger some of our most marginalized citizens. Once again, Oklahoma is dangerously and irresponsibly putting uninformed and unexamined attitudes above scientific and clinical research on gender affirmative medical care. I’m crushed that my faith is being wrongly weaponized against transgender youth, their families, and caregivers. 

“This perpetuates an economy of bigotry that is not sustainable in any society and especially a state the size of Oklahoma. These federal funds are supposed to be strengthening our economy and help attract more industry and workers, especially those in health care, to our state but instead this bill will do the opposite. Who wants to relocate to a state committed to using public funds to finance a system of bigotry where physicians, teachers, women, and those who are different from the majority are demonized and exploited for political purposes?

“I’m grateful to those who have dedicated their lives to providing life-saving medical care, and my heart goes out to those under attack by this legislation. I’m sorry for those who are being targeted and are so distraught that they face suicide rates four times that of other people, along with higher rates of homelessness and mistreatment. You are worthy and wonderfully made, and I will continue fighting for your right to medical care and your right to belong.”

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Boren: (405) 521-5553 or Mary.Boren@oksenate.gov