"South Carolina House Advances Bill Banning Transgender Healthcare for Minors"

South Carolina lawmakers are advancing a bill, HB 4624, that would ban hormone therapy, puberty-blocking drugs, and gender transition surgery for anyone under 18, while also preventing Medicaid from covering such services for anyone under 26. The bill also requires school employees to notify parents if they suspect a student is struggling with gender dysphoria. Critics argue that such decisions should be left to the individual and their families, while medical professionals emphasize the safety of these treatments when administered properly.