Dane County Board denounces SSM Health clinic’s gender-affirming care halt, looks for contract violation 

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the chair of the Dane County Board has asked legal counsel to look into whether SSM’s Middleton Aesthetic Center’s decision to stop gender-affirming surgeries constitutes a contract violation. Dane County’s employee health insurance is through Dean Health Plan, which is a member of SSM Health.

The decision by SSM was made amid pressure from the Catholic Church.

Board Chair Patrick Miles slammed the decision, calling it dangerous to community members who face intimidation and threats. He said the decision would contribute to further discrimination and insisted religion should not override evidence-based, scientific medical care.

The move by SSM comes just weeks after supervisors passed a resolution declaring the county a transgender and nonbinary sanctuary on a 25–1 vote.