Nebraska state Sen. Megan Hunt, a Democrat, is facing an ethics investigation after a complaint was filed on Wednesday, accusing the senator of a conflict of interest after she voted against a bill that would ban gender-affirming health care for minors.
The complaint, filed Wednesday by Omaha lawyer David Begley, alleges Hunt could benefit financially from the failure of the “
Let Them Grow Act,” a measure that would bar health care providers from administering gender-affirming medical care to transgender patients younger than 19, the bill states.
Hunt has a young child who is transgender and read Begley’s complaint out loud during the session on Wednesday to her legislative colleagues.
“Sen. Hunt and her minor child have a slightly more than average [chance] of obtaining medical coverage for the child’s gender transition medical services via a lawsuit if LB574 does not become law. If LB574 does not become law, then Sen. Hunt’s immediate family member could receive a financial benefit with Medicaid paying for the medical services necessary to transition genders.” Begley wrote in the complaint, a portion of which was read aloud by Hunt during Wednesday’s floor session. “Sen. Hunt has the burden of proving that she is exempt from the provisions of Nebraska Statute 49-1499 because LB547 would apply to a broad segment of the public.’”
Hunt acknowledged Begley’s complaint and response to the looming investigation on Twitter.
“Today I was informed that because of a complaint filed by David Begley, I am under official investigation for a conflict of interest,” Hunt said in a Twitter post.
In February, Hunt advocated for supporting gender-affirming care for trans children.
“LB 574, a bill that would prohibit healthcare providers from providing gender-affirming care to children, will be heard in the Health and Human Services Committee on February 8,” Hunt said in a
statement. “Children’s Hospital, an organization that has previously been so vocal in supporting LGBTQIA+ kids, has decided to take no position on the bill. Please consider signing and sharing this letter asking Children to stand up for trans kids on February 8 and always!”
According to data compiled by
the Associated Press, 14 states ban gender-affirming care as of March 30, 2023, including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia.
