Jefferson Reporter

Representative Gary Palmer has formally requested the National Institute of Health (NIH) to release findings from a taxpayer-funded study on puberty blockers. The request is significant in light of an ongoing Supreme Court case, U.S. v. Skrmetti, where both Alabama and Tennessee have vested interests regarding state rights to prohibit sex-transition surgeries for minors.

Rep. Palmer emphasized the importance of transparency in publicly funded research, stating, “Under no circumstances should taxpayers fund a study and then be denied access to the results.” He criticized any potential withholding of information due to political reasons, particularly when it concerns children's health and safety.

The letter demanding this information was co-signed by several other representatives including Robert Aderholt, Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Mike Rogers, Dale Strong from Alabama, and Andy Ogles, Chuck Fleischmann, Scott DesJarlais, David Kustoff from Tennessee.

This demand follows a report by The New York Times about Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy's NIH-funded study on puberty blockers. The report suggests that Dr. Olson-Kennedy has not released the study results due to their potentially controversial nature. According to the Times, she has received nearly $10 million in support from NIH for her research.