Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) raised eyebrows when he vetoed House Bill 68 on Friday — a measure that would have prevented biological males from participating in women’s athletics and barred doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children — but critics questioned whether campaign donations may have been behind the eleventh-hour veto.
According to a report published that same day by The Daily Caller News Foundation, between 2018 and 2023 DeWine had received some $40,000 in campaign donations from several children’s hospitals and organizations that support access to transgender medical treatment for minors.
The donations in question reportedly came from the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA) — $20,000, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital — $300, Nationwide Children’s Hospital — $10,000, and ProMedica Children’s Hospital — $10,000.
ProMedica, a member of The Ohio Children's Hospital Association and the largest hospital chain in Ohio also gave DeWine $10,000.
ProMedica seems to offer gender affirming care. pic.twitter.com/eVWWdhJdES
— Parker Thayer (@ParkerThayer) December 29, 2023
At least one of the hospitals, Cincinnati Children’s, has a Transgender Health Center that accepts patients as young as five years old and does not list an age limit for starting drugs like puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.
DeWine defended his veto in a press conference, saying, “Parents have looked me in the eye and told me but for this treatment, their child would be dead. I have also been told by those who are now grown adults that but for this care they would have taken their life when they were teenagers … The consequences of this bill could not be more profound. Ultimately, I believe this is about protecting human life.”
“Oh, so you mean Gov DeWine was compromised by dollar signs? Shocker… They always follow the $$$$,” NCAA-swimmer-turned-activist Riley Gaines responded.
Oh, so you mean Gov DeWine was compromised by dollar signs? Shocker…
They always follow the $$$$ pic.twitter.com/kGBTu1WWyG
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) December 31, 2023
Former President Donald Trump also called out the Ohio Republicans, saying, “DeWine has fallen to the Radical Left. No wonder he gets loudly booed in Ohio every time I introduce him at Rallies, but I won’t be introducing him any more. I’m finished with this ‘stiff.’ What was he thinking. The bill would have stopped child mutilation, and prevented men from playing in women’s sports. Legislature will hopefully overturn. Do it FAST!!!”