Kentucky and four other states are again suing the Obama administration over its efforts to strengthen discrimination protections for transgender people.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday in a North Texas federal court seeks to block parts of a nondiscrimination mandate of President Barack Obama's healthcare law.
Republican state officials say the rules could force doctors to help with gender transition against their medical judgment or religious convictions.
Transgender rights advocates called that a far-fetched hypothetical and say the rules simply require doctors to make decisions without bias.
The lawsuit was filed a day after a federal judge in Texas blocked a directive that would have required public schools to let transgender students use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.
Texas, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Kansas are also in the latest lawsuit.
Update:
Governor Bevin's Office wrote in a news release:
“The Obama Administration continues its attacks on the constitutional rights and religious freedoms of Kentuckians,” said Gov. Bevin. “It is both appalling and illegal for the federal government to force Kentucky taxpayers to foot the bill for sex-change operations. That is a ridiculous misuse of power by the Obama administration. I intend to fight this type of liberal foolishness at every turn and will stand firm in protecting the rights and values of Kentuckians."
