Notices by Maria (mariahill@progressivecafe.social), page 2

Pharmaceutical research is largely funded by the federal government, then private companies reap the benefits and gouge insurance companies, the cost of which is passed on to all Americans. Older people and people with disabilities often have difficulty affording medication. Only 10 drugs will be negotiated by Medicare, but lower costs of these will be a huge help. Yet pharma companies whine at any loss of profit.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/08/29/medicare-drug-price-negotiations/

In Texas, a fetus is a person when it can be used to punish pregnant woman or prevent her from getting an abortion.

In Texas, a fetus is not a person if it means the pregnant person carrying said fetus inside her body would need to do anything inconvenient or with any kind of minimal cost to the state, such as be relieved from work to go to the fucking hospital.

https://apnews.com/article/texas-fetus-rights-prison-lawsuit-6c4fa19793cd56e5edade436d1392d90

We've seen these laws blocked by some federal and state courts, but now the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has lifted the injunction against the ban on transgender kids getting appropriate care. The same panel recently lifted Tennessee's injunction. Pediatricians in states where bans have been enacted are afraid of treating trans kids at all, and "the climate of fear and confusion" is keeping kids kids from getting even mental health services.

1/2

https://www.virginiamercury.com/2023/08/01/laws-banning-gender-affirming-treatments-can-block-trans-youth-from-receiving-other-care/

As noted in the article, the Campaign for Southern Equality has launched the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project to help trans youth affected by state bans. There are links on this page where you can get support in each state with a ban as well as other states, and there's a directory of providers who do provide the services that are still legal in the affected states.

You are not alone. 2/2

https://southernequality.org/styep/

Rachel Maddow mentioned this document from Georgetown Law. We have First Amendment rights to gather at Pride. Private paramilitary groups have no authority to detain, attack, or police drag or gender non-conforming people and all 50 states prevent private paramilitary groups from activities reserved for state militia. This document tells organizers how to protect the community.

As Maddow said, "Happy Pride, everybody. We're not going anywhere." 🏳️🌈 :trans_flag:

https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2023/05/Pride-Guidance-5.17.23.pdf