Rep. Jeff Leach

Leach Argued That Allowing Doctors To Distribute A Vaccine Proven To Prevent Cancer Was Wrong Because It Would “Rip That Decision From The Parents And The Child And Give It To The Doctor”

Leach Voted Against An Amendment To Allow Doctors To Distribute A Vaccine If It Was Proven To Prevent Cancer

The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Recommended All Girls And Boys 11-12 Years Old Get Vaccinated Against Human Papillomavirus, Which Can Cause Cervical Cancer In Women

Rep. Bill Zedler Offered An Amendment To A Bill To Limit The Number Of Children A Child Protective Services Worker Could Supervise That Would Restrict Doctors From Including Vaccinations In Initial Medical Examinations For Children. “A foster care bill in the House turned into a heated debate on vaccinations for children on Wednesday. The bill, from Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, is part of the state’s attempt to reform its foster care system. Wu’s House Bill 39, which won preliminary approval, would limit on the number of children a Child Protective Services worker could supervise. It would also require speedy medical evaluations of children entering the foster care system. Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington and vice chairman of the staunchly conservative Texas Freedom Caucus, authored an amendment to the bill that would restrict doctors from including vaccinations in initial medical examinations for children. Zedler said children could be removed from their homes by Child Protective Services and given an unwanted vaccination.” [San Antonio Express News, 5/10/17]

Another Legislator Attempted To Change The Amendment To Allow Doctors To Distribute A Vaccine If It Was Proven To Prevent Cancer, Specifically Concerned With HPV, Which Can Cause Cervical Cancer In Women And Which The CDC Recommended All 11-12 Years Old Be Vaccinated Against. “Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, attempted to change Zedler's amendment to allow doctors to distribute a vaccine if it has been proven to prevent cancer. Davis, an advocate for vaccinations, said she was ‘dumbfounded’ that lawmakers would vote against preventing cervical cancer. Davis was referring to the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer in women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all girls and boys who are 11 or 12 years old should get the HPV vaccine. It's also recommended for young women through age 26 and young men through age 21, according to the CDC website. ‘” [San Antonio Express News, 5/10/17]

Leach Argued Against The Amendment To Allow Doctors To Distribute A Vaccine Proven To Prevent Cancer, Arguing It Would Revoke The Rights Of Parents Who Did Not Believe In Vaccination And “Rip That Decision From The Parents And The Child And Give It To The Doctor.” “A foster care bill in the House turned into a heated debate on vaccinations for children on Wednesday. [ ] Rep. Sarah Davis, … R-West University Place, attempted to change Zedler's amendment to allow doctors to distribute a vaccine if it has been proven to prevent cancer. Davis, an advocate for vaccinations, said she was ‘dumbfounded’ that lawmakers would vote against preventing cervical cancer. Davis was referring to the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer in women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all girls and boys who are 11 or 12 years old should get the HPV vaccine. It's also recommended for young women through age 26 and young men through age 21, according to the CDC website. ‘My amendment empowers doctors to practice medicine,’ Davis said during a testy exchange with Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano. ‘I think this is so important that we can eradicate cervical cancer.’ Leach said he was concerned that Davis' amendment would revoke the parental rights of those who do not believe in vaccination and ‘rip that decision from the parents and the child and give it to the doctor.’” [San Antonio Express News, 5/10/17]

Leach Voted To Table The Amendment. “Amendment No. 2 Representative Zedler offered the following amendment to CSHB 39: Floor Packet Page No. 3 Amend CSHB 39 (house committee report) on page 2, line 16, after the underlined period, by inserting the following: A physician or other health care provider conducting the medical examination under this section may not administer a vaccination as part of the examination. Amendment No. 3 Representative S. Davis offered the following amendment to Amendment No. 2: Amend Amendment No. 2 by Zedler (page 3, prefiled amendments packet) to CSHB 39 on page 1, line 5, between ‘examination’ and the underlined period, by inserting ‘unless the vaccination has been proven to prevent cancer’. [...] Representative Zedler moved to table Amendment No. 3. The vote of the house was taken on the motion to table Amendment No. 3 and the vote was announced yeas 69, nays 67. [...] Yeas [:...] Leach[.]” [Amendment #3 to CSHB 39, 85th Legislature, 5/10/17]

Leach Introduced An Amendment To Allow The Decline Of Immunization For Reasons Of Conscience, Prohibiting State Child Welfare Workers From Removing A Child From A Home Because Their Parents Chose Not To Get Them Vaccinated

Leach: “There's A Lot Of People On Both Sides Of The Issue That… Believe That Government Ought To Stay Out Of This Decision”

House Bill 7 Was A Child Protective Services Reform Bill. “Legislators gave initial approval to House Bill 7, which directs the state's Department of Family and Protective Services only to remove children from their homes over allegations of violence or abuse, not for reasons like a parent having a low income or being charged with a nonviolent misdemeanor. The bill would also give parents more access to the child welfare agency's evidence about allegations against them; end a lawsuit against a parent if more than a year passes without any movement in the courts; prevent courts from terminating parent-child relationships without evidence; and stop courts from ordering medical or mental health treatment for a child before consulting a health care professional.” [Texas Tribune, 5/8/17]

Leach Introduced An Amendment To Allow The Decline Of Immunization For A Child For Reasons Of Conscience. “Amendment No. 32 Representative Leach offered the following amendment to CSHB 7: Floor Packet Page No. 19 Amend CSHB 7 (house committee report) as follows: (1) On page 9, line 6, strike ‘or’. (2) On page 9, line 12, between ‘code’ and the underlined period, insert the following: ; or (5) declined immunization for the child for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief[.]” [Amendment #32 to CSHB 7, 85th Legislature, 5/8/17]

The Amendment Would Prohibit State Child Welfare Workers From Removing A Child From A Home Because Their Parents Chose Not To Get Them Vaccinated. “Reps. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, and Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, engaged in a testy exchange over Leach's amendment to prohibit state child welfare workers from removing a child from home because their parents chose not to get them vaccinated.” [Texas Tribune, 5/8/17]

Leach Said The Amendment Was Only Meant To Protect Parents From Having Their Children Taken Away For Simply Being Unvaccinated: “There's A Lot Of People On Both Sides Of The Issue That … Believe That Government Ought To Stay Out Of This Decision.” “Villalba argued the amendment might expose foster children to vaccine-preventable diseases like mumps, which is experiencing a 23-year high in Texas. ‘So you protect the rights of parents over the rights of the children who have been exposed to a disease that is potentially fatal?’ Villalba asked. Leach said the amendment was only meant to protect parents from having their children taken away for simply being unvaccinated. ‘There's a lot of people on both sides of the issue that are smart and well meaning and love their children and believe that government ought to stay out of this decision,’ Leach said.” [Texas Tribune, 5/8/17]

Leach Received An A+ Rating And An Endorsement From Texans For Vaccine Choice

Leach Received An A+ Rating And An Endorsement From Texans For Vaccine Choice. [Texans For Vaccine Choice, October 2017]

Leach Voted Against Over A Half Billion Dollars In Annual Estimated Medicaid Funding For Texas Nursing Homes, Which Suffered Staff Shortages That Left Seniors Open To Greater Risk Of Coronavirus Infection

Texas Had One Of The Lowest Medicaid Reimbursement Rates In The Nation, Despite More Than Four Out Of Five Texans In Nursing Homes Depending On Medicaid Or Medicare

About 85 Percent Of Texans In Nursing Homes Depended On Medicaid Or Medicare. “About 85 percent of Texans in nursing homes depend on Medicaid or Medicare.” [Dallas Morning News, 4/6/16]

Texas Had One Of The Lowest Medicaid Reimbursement Rates In The Nation, Resulting In Nursing Homes Often Spending More Caring For Residents Than They Were Reimbursed. “Texas has one of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the nation, which means nursing homes often spend more caring for residents than they are reimbursed.” [Dallas Morning News, 4/6/16]

Leach Voted Against A Bipartisan Bill To Create A Nursing Facility Reinvestment Allowance To Allow Access To Federal Medicaid Funds For Non-Medicare-Funded Nursing Homes

The Federal Government Match Would Have Provided An Estimated $578 Million Per Year For Medicaid-Funded Nursing Home Reinvestment Without A Dime Of State Spending

Bill Sponsor: HB 2766 Would Create A Nursing Facility Reinvestment Allowance, Allowing The State To Draw Down Additional Medicaid Funding By Accessing Additional Federal Dollars Specifically For Nursing Home Care, As 43 Other States Did. “AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT[:] H.B. 2766 creates the Nursing Facility Reinvestment Allowance (NFRA) that will allow the state to draw down additional Medicaid funding by accessing additional federal dollars specifically for nursing home care. This can be done without using any state funds or general revenue. An assessment of up to six percent per nursing facility bed would be paid by the provider monthly to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Those dollars will be used to access the federal dollars available, something 43 other states currently do. After the federal dollars are matched, HHSC will move those enhanced dollars to managed care organizations so those calculations can factor in to the Medicaid rate for Medicaid reimbursement to providers.” [H.B. 2766 Bill Analysis – Senate Research Center, 5/23/17]

HB 2766 Would Have Freed Up Federal Medicaid Funds For Non-Medicare-Funded Nursing Homes By Providing A Local Match For Occupied Beds Paid For By Private Facilities, With The Federal Government Matching $1.32 For Each Local Dollar Raised. “The legislation, co-authored by House District 59 Rep. J.D. Sheffield, R-Gatesville, would have freed up federal Medicaid funds for non-Medicare-funded nursing homes by providing a local match of $11 per occupied bed per day paid for by private facilities. For each local dollar raised, the federal government would match $1.32 — providing an estimated $578 million per year for Medicaid-funded nursing home reinvestment without a dime of state spending.” [Killeen Daily Herald, 5/19/18]

● The Federal Government Match Would Have Provided An Estimated $578 Million Per Year For Medicaid-Funded Nursing Home Reinvestment Without A Dime Of State Spending. “For each local dollar raised, the federal government would match $1.32 — providing an estimated $578 million per year for Medicaid-funded nursing home reinvestment without a dime of state spending.” [Killeen Daily Herald, 5/19/18]

Leach Voted Against HB 2766. [HB 2766, 85th Legislature, 5/11/17]

More Than One Out Of Five Texas Covid-19 Related Deaths Were Connected To Nursing Homes

22% of Texas’s COVID-19 Related Deaths Were Connected To Nursing Homes. “More than one in five coronavirus-related deaths in Texas have been linked to skilled nursing homes, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of state data, illustrating the vulnerability of older residents in group settings to the deadly virus. Data shows that 22 percent of deaths related to COVID-19 as of Monday were connected to nursing homes, while another 8 percent were linked to assisted-living facilities, which provide a less-intensive level of care.” [Houston Chronicle, 4/14/20]

Underfunded Texas Nursing Homes Suffered From High Turnover, With The Failure To Retain Staff Threatening The Health Of Residents

Texas Had The Worst Staffing Levels, On Average, Of Any State, With Fewer Employees Taking Care Of Frail Residents, Increasing The Risk Of Spreading Infection. “Texas also has the worst staffing levels, on average, of any state, meaning fewer employees are taking care of frail residents. The higher number of residents assigned to each staff member also increases the risk of spreading infection.” [Dallas Morning News, 4/25/20]

Texas AARP Warned In 2017 That Texas Nursing Homes Were Failing, With Rampant Violations Including Neglect, Mixed Medications, And Trouble Stopping Spreading Infections. “Most nursing home facilities in Texas would have a failing grade by most measures. Texas nursing homes have an average rating of 57. ‘We're at the bottom of the barrel,’ said Amanda Fredriksen, Associate State Director for Outreach and Advocacy for AARP Texas. Neglect, mixed medications, and trouble stopping spreading infections are some violations rarely punished. ‘It goes to this issue of tying regulators hands,’ said Fredriksen in a Senate hearing Monday. Texas AARP recently analyzed state data for their report ‘Intolerable Care.’ They found 17,466 citations for Texas nursing homes. The state took 40 enforcement actions. If regulators find a violation at nursing home, the state allows the facility time to correct the problem without any fines. ‘We think that's a problem. It sends the wrong message,’ said Fredriksen. ‘Sure, they need to correct the violation, but when you have violations that are causing actual harm to people, there needs to be more to it than just correct it.’ The facilities themselves have trouble keeping good workers, which can lead to more violations.” [KVUE, 3/29/17]

● Texas AARP Headline: “Texas Nursing Facilities Found To Be Shamefully Poor in Quality.” [Texas AARP, 1/25/17]

● Half Of All Nursing Homes In Texas Had One- Or Two-Star Ratings. “In fact, more than half of all nursing homes in Texas have one- or two-star ratings. Only Louisiana fares worse, based on the current federal data.” [Dallas Morning News, 4/25/20]

● Texas Ranked Second In Serious Deficiencies Per Nursing Home. “According to federal records, Texas leads the nation in the number of nursing homes punished by payment suspensions. Over the past three years, Texas nursing homes were penalized 260 times, representing 21% of all Texas facilities. Texas ranked second for the number of serious deficiencies per nursing home.” [The Bond Buyer, 11/27/18]

Texas Nursing Homes Had Trouble Keeping Good Workers, Which Opened The Door For More Violations. “The facilities themselves have trouble keeping good workers, which can lead to more violations.” [KVUE, 3/29/17]

● The Annual Turnover Rate For Registered Nurses In The State’s Nursing Homes Was 94 Percent. “According to the 2013 Nursing Facility Cost Report, the annual turnover rate for registered nurses in the state’s nursing homes is 94 percent. Warren said this in turn can affect patients in nursing homes.” [Dallas Morning News, 4/6/16]

● Texas Health Care Association CEO Kevin Warren: Texas Nursing Homes Paid Little And Nurses Left For Better Paying Jobs In Hospitals And, In Some Cases, Fast Food Restaurants, Contributing To A Turnover Rate Of More Than 90 Percent. “Texas nursing homes [are] having a hard time hiring and keeping nurses. A new study from a group representing nursing homes says that problem is set to become even worse as the population ages in the coming years. According to the report, the turnover rate for nurses working in nursing homes is more than 90 percent. A lot of this has to do with how little nurses are being paid. [ ] According to [Texas … Health Care Association CEO Kevin] Warren nursing homes are losing nurses to better paying jobs in hospitals – and in some cases, fast food restaurants.” [Houston Public Media, 4/11/18]

● Cantex Continuing Care Network CEO Robin Underhill: Some Facilities Had A 100% Turnover Rate, With Staff “Leaving For Walmart, Dunking Donuts.” “‘Many of the staff is leaving for Walmart, dunking donuts,’ said Robin Underhill, Cantex Continuing Care Network CEO. She said better pay and less stress.” [KVUE, 3/29/17]

During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Low-Paid Nursing Home Employees Worked At Multiple Facilities, Increasing The Risk Of Employees Spreading The Virus From One Facility To Another

Texas Nursing Home Staffers Often Circulated Among Multiple Locations. “Gov. Greg Abbott banned most visitors a month ago from nursing homes , among other steps, in an attempt to protect residents from infection. Visitors were largely prohibited from assisted living facilities later. But the rules were not enough to stop the spread within these complexes. Authorities said a worker testing positive at The Resort at Texas City prompted widespread testing there; one concern is that staffers often circulate among multiple locations. Such facilities typically take the temperatures of employees, but that won't cover someone not showing symptoms of the disease.” [Houston Chronicle, 4/14/20]

UT-Austin Professor Of Nursing Tracie Harrison: Many Low-Paid Nursing Home Employees Worked At Multiple Facilities And Nursing Homes Should Ask Them To Work At Only One Location To Limit The Risk Of Employees Spreading The Virus From One Facility To Another. “‘What are your resources to care for that person?’ said Tracie Harrison, a professor of nursing at the University of Texas at Austin. ‘Do not rush into a decision. Can you manage their fundamental health problem? Can you also, on top … of that, keep them isolated?’ Harrison said that many low-paid nursing home employees work at multiple facilities. To limit the risk of employees spreading the virus from one facility to another, nursing homes should ask them to work at only one location, she said.” [Texas Tribune, 4/8/20]

● Professor Harrison: “You Have To Supplement Their Wages In Order To Do That.” “To limit the risk of employees spreading the virus from one facility to another, nursing homes should ask them to work at only one location, she said. But doing so will come with costs to workers. ‘You have to supplement their wages in order to do that,’ Harrison said.” [Texas Tribune, 4/8/20]

Leach Voted To Ban Abortion After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy And Voted To Enact Restrictions That Closed More Than Half Of Texas’s Abortion Clinics Before Being Struck Down By The U.S. Supreme Court

Leach Voted To Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks, Require Abortion Doctors To Have Admitting Privileges At A Nearby Hospital And Require All Abortions Take Place In Surgical Centers

Texas Republicans Voted To Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks, Require Abortion Doctors To Have Admitting Privileges At A Nearby Hospital And Require All Abortions Take Place In Surgical Centers. “The Texas Senate voted 19-11 early Saturday to pass sweeping restrictions on abortions, the conclusion of a weeks-long standoff over reproductive rights in the state. [ ] Republicans systematically voted … down all 20 proposed amendments to the bill, which will ban abortions after 20 weeks, require abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and require all abortions take place in surgical centers. As the last amendment failed, five singing protesters chained themselves to the railing of the gallery; state troopers removed them from the room.” [Washington Post, 7/13/13]

Leach Voted For The Bill. “HB 2 was passed by (Record 29): 96 Yeas, 49 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Yeas — [...] Leach[.]” [HB2 – 83rd Legislature, 7/10/13]

The U.S. Supreme Court Found That The Bill’s Restrictions On Abortion Facilities Placed An Undue Burden On A Woman's Constitutional Right To An Abortion

More Than Half Of Texas’s Abortion Clinics Closed After The Restrictions Were Passed

Texas Would Have Been Left With As Few As Ten Abortion Clinics Had The Bill Survived, With None Outside Of Major Metropolitan Areas

After The Bill Passed, More Than Half Of Texas’s Abortion Clinics Closed. “This means Texas’ 19 remaining clinics — of the more than 40 that were open before HB 2 passed — will continue to provide abortions.” [Texas Tribune, 6/27/16]

2016: The U.S. Supreme Court Overturned The Bill’s Restrictions Requiring All Texas Facilities Performing Abortions To Meet Hospital-Like Standards, Finding They Placed An Undue Burden On A Woman's Constitutional Right To An Abortion. “Ruling that Texas' 2013 abortion restrictions place an undue burden on a woman's constitutional right to an abortion, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday handed Texas abortion providers a major victory by overturning the regulations. In a 5-3 vote, the high court overturned restrictions passed as part of House Bill 2 in 2013 that required all Texas facilities performing abortions to meet hospital-like standards — which include minimum sizes for rooms and doorways, pipelines for anesthesia.” [Texas Tribune, 6/27/16]

As Few As 10 Abortion Clinics Would Have Remained Open Had The Bill Not Been Overturned, With None Surviving Outside Of Major Metropolitan Areas. “Had the court upheld the hospital-like standard requirement, Texas would have been left with as few as 10 abortion clinics — all in major metropolitan areas — to serve 5.4 million women of reproductive age.” [Texas Tribune, 6/27/16]

Leach Wrote A Personhood Bill That Would Ban All Abortion, Subject Providers And Patients To Felony Charges And Directed State Officials To Ignore Federal Law Established By Roe v. Wade

Leach’s “Abolition Of Abortion In Texas Act” Banned Abortion From The Moment Of Conception Under Any And All Circumstance

The “Abolition Of Abortion In Texas Act” Sought To Ban And Criminalize Abortions In Texas At Any Stage And Direct State Officials To Ignore Federal Law Established By Roe v. Wade. “A Republican lawmaker filed the ‘Abolition of Abortion in Texas Act’ Wednesday, which would ban and criminalize abortions in Texas at any stage and direct state officials to ignore federal law established by Roe v. Wade. House Bill 948, authored by state Representative Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, is the newest and most straightforward attempt by Texas Republicans to force the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit the landmark 1973 decision that established the right to terminate a pregnancy under the 14th Amendment.” [Texas Observer, 1/13/17]

The Bill Classified A Fetus As A “Living Human Child” From The Moment Of Conception, Arguing That A Fetus Had The Same Privileges And Rights As “Any Other Human Child.” “The bill classifies a fetus as a ‘living human child’ from the moment of conception, and it argues that a fetus has the same privileges and rights as ‘any other human child.’” [Texas Observer, 1/13/17]

The Bill Made No Exception For Rape Or Fetal Abnormalities And Sought To Remove The Exception For Abortion In The State’s Penal Code For Criminal Homicide, Meaning Women And Abortion Providers Could Face Felony Charges For The Procedure. “The proposal would remove the exception for abortion in the state’s penal code for criminal homicide, meaning women and abortion providers could face felony charges for the procedure. The bill makes no exception for rape or fetal abnormalities.” [Texas Observer, 1/13/17]

Leach Voted For A Bill To Punish Doctors, Nurses And Other Parties “Knowingly Assisting The Criminal Enterprise” Of Abortion With Felony Penalties

Leach: “Our Laws Ought To Be Narrowly Tailored To Hold” Responsible “Any Individual Who May Not Actually Be Performing The Abortion But Is Knowingly Assisting The Criminal Enterprise.”

The Leach-Supported Bill Would Ban The Method Most Commonly Used Second Trimester Abortion Procedure

Leach Voted For SB 8. “SB 8 was passed by (Record 1414): 93 Yeas, 45 Nays, 1 Present, not voting. Yeas — [:...] Leach[.]” [SB 8, 85th Legislature, 5/20/17]

● The Bill Would Criminalize Dilation And Evacuation Abortions. “SB 8, which awaits final approval from the Senate, would criminalize ‘partial birth abortions’ and ‘dismemberment abortions’ — both nonmedical terms used by anti-abortion advocates. The first is for a procedure already prohibited under federal law, and the second describes a dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedure, one of the most common forms of second trimester abortions.” [Texas Observer, 5/24/17]

● Dilation And Evacuation Abortion Was The Method Most Commonly Used In The Second Trimester. “Since 2015, state lawmakers have begun to target the abortion method most commonly used in the second trimester, dilation and evacuation (D&E).” [Guttmacher Institute, 2/21/17]

The Bill Would Subject A Doctor Who Performed An Abortion To A Felony Punishable By Up To Two Years In Prison And Allow Prosecutors To Come After Anyone Else Involved In The Process, Unless They Were Specifically Exempted In The Legislation. “Both bans would subject a doctor who performs the abortion to a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in prison, and exempt the woman who had the procedure. But under Texas law, prosecutors could come after anyone else involved in the process, unless they’re specifically exempted in the legislation.” [Texas Observer, 5/24/17]

Leach: “Our Laws Ought To Be Narrowly Tailored To Hold” Responsible “Any Individual Who May Not Actually Be Performing The Abortion But Is Knowingly Assisting The Criminal Enterprise.” “The key question is whether a person was knowingly involved, said Representative Jeff Leach, R-Plano. If a bookkeeper or receptionist has no idea what’s going on, they shouldn’t be held to the same responsibility as the doctor performing the abortion, Leach told the Observer. But if they do know, that’s a different story. ‘If there’s any individual who may not actually be performing the abortion but is knowingly assisting the criminal enterprise — that may not be a good way to put it — who is knowingly assisting in the provision of an unlawful abortion — then our laws ought to be narrowly tailored to hold those responsible,’ said Leach, who was concerned Moody’s proposal might have let them off the hook and requested it be withdrawn.” [Texas Observer, 5/24/17]

Texas Alliance For Life Executive Director Joe Pojma: “It’s Possible A Third Party Could Be Prosecuted, But It Would Have To Be Someone Close To The Physician That Is Knowingly Performing The Abortion, Like A Nurse.” “Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, said that he would support individuals who knowingly assist with the abortion facing prosecution, but that Moody’s inclusion of drivers and receptionists was ‘far-fetched.’ ‘It’s possible a third party could be prosecuted, but it would have to be someone close to the physician that is knowingly performing the abortion, like a nurse,’ added Pojman, who said that in his 25 years lobbying against abortion in Texas, he’s never heard this kind of objection.” [Texas Observer, 5/24/17]

With Women’s Health Care Enduring A Republican-Created Crisis, Meyer Voted Against A Bill To Extend The Women's Health Advisory Committee

Leach Voted Against A Bill To Extend The Women's Health Advisory Committee

HB 279 Was A Bill To Extend The Women's Health Advisory Committee, Which Was Set To Be th Abolished. [HB 279, 85 Session, Introduced 11/14/16]

The Women's Health Advisory Committee Was Created In 2015 To Help To Consolidate The State’s Various Women’s Health Programs After Texas Pulled Off The Medicaid Women’s Health Program To Create Its Own Version In 2013 That Banned Planned Parenthood. “The committee was created in 2015 to help to consolidate the state’s various women’s health programs after Texas pulled of [sic] the Medicaid Women’s Health Program to create its own version in 2013 that bans Planned Parenthood.” [Texas Observer, 6/15/17]

● The Number Of Women Accessing Services Under The State Program Was In Significant Decline, Dropping From Nearly 104,000 In The Medicaid Program Before The State Took Over In 2012 To About 70,000 In Texas’ Program In 2016. “The committee was created in 2015 to help to consolidate the state’s various women’s health programs after Texas pulled of [sic] the Medicaid Women’s Health Program to create its own version in 2013 that bans Planned Parenthood.” [Texas Observer, 6/15/17]

● Women's Health Advisory Committee Vice Chair Janet Realini: “There's 1.8 Million Women Who Need Publicly Subsidized Services, Family Planning In Particular, And Right Now We're Serving Less Than A Quarter Of Those.” “But women’s health advocates say the Healthy Texas Women program is failing to meet the family planning needs of the state and requires further review. Data released by the state show a significant decline in women accessing services under the state program. The number of clients served dropped from nearly 104,000 in the Medicaid program in 2012 — before the state took over — to about 70,000 in Texas’ program in 2016.” [KVUE, 6/15/17]

th Leach Voted Against The Bill. [HB 279, 85 Session, 4/28/17]

As Thousands Of Texans Died Because The State’s Failure To Expand Medicaid, Leach Authored An Amendment To Limit Medicaid Expansion, Dismissing Expanding The Program As “Reckless And Irresponsible”

Leach Was The Author Of A 2013 Amendment To Make It Harder To Expand Medicaid

Leach Authored An Amendment, Which Passed 87-57, To Limit Medicaid Expansion, Constraining Governors And Commissioners From Expanding The Texas Medicaid Program Without The Consent Of The Texas Legislature. “Last night, the Texas House of Representatives approved a groundbreaking measure by Representative Jeff Leach that will limit the expansion of Medicaid in Texas under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Leach's proposal, passed with a vote of 87-57, was included as an Amendment on Senate Bill 7, which significantly reforms the Texas Medicaid Program by improving the program's ability to assess the needs of current enrollees by implementing a more efficient and quality-centered program. Under current law, the Texas Health & Human Services Commissioner has full authority to expand Medicaid without legislative approval. Leach's Amendment closes this loophole by ensuring that future Governors and Commissioners are constrained by statute from expanding the Texas Medicaid Program without the consent of the Texas Legislature.” [Rep. Leach rd press release, 5/21/13; Amendment 26 – SB 7, 83 Legislature, 5/20/13]

Leach Called Medicaid A “Broken System” And Expansion “Reckless And Irresponsible”

Leach: Medicaid Was A “Broken System.” "Representative Leach said, ‘An issue as far-reaching and consequential as Medicaid expansion is far too important a policy decision to be made by one person. It is the obligation and responsibility of the Legislature to make these decisions in our state. Texans have made it clear that expanding Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is not in the best interest of our state and I laud Governor Perry for taking an active role against expanding this broken system. At the end of the day, the answer to the problem is reform, not expansion.’” [Rep. Leach press release, 5/21/13]

● Leach: Medicaid Expansion Would Be “Reckless And Irresponsible.” “The Collin County delegation in Austin is made up solely of Republicans, at least two of which are toeing the party line and refusing to support expansion efforts. Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) said there is no need to pump more money into a system that is broken. ‘I believe it would be reckless and irresponsible to expand the Medicaid program in Texas because it is unsustainable,’ Leach said. ‘People are advocating it with the lure of free money from the federal government, but I believe it is short-sighted for us to buy into that program.’” [Plano Star Courier, 4/6/13]

Nearly 3,000 Texans Died From 2014 To 2017 Because Of The State’s Decision Not To Expand Medicaid

Center On Budget And Policy Priorities: Nearly 3,000 Texans Died From 2014 To 2017 Because Of The State’s Decision Not To Expand Medicaid. “Lives Saved, and Lost, Due to States’ Medicaid Expansion Decisions, Adults Aged 55-64 [ ] 2014 to 2017 [ ] Texas[:] 2,920[.]” [Center on Budget and Policy … … Priorities, 11/6/19]

Leach Voted Against An Effort To Facilitate Gender Pay Equity By Requiring State Agencies To Issue A Report Comparing The Salaries Of Men And Women Employed Under The Same Job Classification System

Leach Voted Against Requiring State Agencies To Issue A Report Comparing The Salaries Of Men And Women Employed Under The Same Job Classification System

An Amendment To Committee Substitute House Bill 1 Directed The Comptroller To Provide A Report Comparing The Salaries Of Men And Women Employed Under The Same Job Classification System At All Texas State Agencies Each Fiscal Year. “It is the intent of the legislature that the comptroller, using funds appropriated to the comptroller above, provide a report comparing the salaries of men and women employed under the same job classification system at all Texas state agencies. It is the intent of the legislature that the comptroller submit this annual report to members of the Texas Legislature no th later than September 1 of each fiscal year.” [Amendment 20 – CSHB 1, 84 Session, Introduced 3/31/15]

th Leach Voted Against The Amendment. [Amendment 20 – CSHB 1, 84 Session, Introduced 3/31/15]

Leach Opposed Banning LGBT Discrimination In Employment, Housing And Public Accommodations And Introduced A Bill That Would Reverse Local Protections

Leach Fought Against A Ban On Discrimination In Employment, Housing And Public Accommodations Based On Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity, Claiming It Put Women And Children At Risk

Leach Protested That The Ordinance Did Not Protect Against “Men Using Women's Bathrooms”

The Plano City Council Voted To Ban Discrimination In Employment, Housing And Public Accommodations Based On Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity. “Despite intense opposition from anti-LGBT speakers, the City Council in Plano, Texas, voted 5-3 Monday night to ban discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” [Towle Road, 12/9/14]

The Bill Expanded The City’s Equal Rights Policy, Adding Protections On The Basis Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity To Ensure LGBT People Protections In Employment, Housing, And Public Accommodations. “Monday night, the Plano, Texas City Council voted 5–3 to approve an expansion of the city’s Equal Rights Policy, adding protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, among other categories. Though LGBT people will now enjoy protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations, the bill did include an exclusion for bathrooms and locker rooms, meaning transgender people could still be denied access to some basic services.” [Think Progress, 12/9/14]

The Bill Included An Exclusion For Bathrooms And Locker Rooms, Meaning Transgender People Could Still Be Denied Access To Some Basic Services, And Exempted Religious Organizations, Political Organizations, Non-Profit Organizations, And Educational Organizations. “Though LGBT people will now enjoy protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations, the bill did include an exclusion for bathrooms and locker rooms, meaning transgender people could still be denied access to some basic services. Additionally, religious organizations, political organizations, non-profit organizations, and educational organizations were among the groups exempted by the law.” [Think Progress, 12/9/14]

Leach: “Your Sexual Orientation And Transgender Ordinance May Place Women And Children At Risk And Does Not Consider The Moral Or Religious Beliefs Of Plano Citizens Or Vendors Who Do Business With The City.” “As husbands and wives with children, we have concerns that your sexual orientation and transgender ordinance may place women and children at risk and does not consider the moral or religious beliefs of Plano citizens or vendors who do business with the city.” [Letter – Reps. Fallon, Laubenberg, Leach, Shaheen, 12/8/14]

While Admitting “The Ordinance Attempts To Make An Exemption For Bathrooms” Leach Claimed It Did “Not Protect Women And Children Against Men Using Women's Bathrooms.” “The ordinance does not protect women and children against men using women's bathrooms. Although the ordinance attempts to make an exemption for bathrooms, it will cause confusion having different rules for different people under different circumstances.” [Letter – Reps. Fallon, Laubenberg, Leach, Shaheen, 12/8/14]

Leach Introduced Legislation That Would Overturn The Ordinance

Leach Introduced A Bill That Would Nullify The LGBT Protections By Prohibiting Municipalities From Adopting Or Enforcing Discrimination Protections Not Covered By State Law. “At least two bills have been introduced by Texas lawmakers that would nullify LGBT protections created by ordinances in Plano, Dallas, Fort Worth and other cities. ‘The concern is the patchwork of ordinances that go further than the state law,’ said Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) who filed House Bill 1911 last week. ‘This (bill) creates an environment of consistency.’ The bill would prohibit municipalities from adopting or enforcing discrimination protections not covered by state law.” [Dallas Morning News, 3/4/15]

Leach Petitioned The Texas Supreme Court To Block A Texas City From Extending Employee Benefits To Same Sex Couples After The U.S. Supreme Court Ruled In Favor Of Marriage Equality

Leach And Other Legislators Signed Onto A Brief Arguing That “Nothing In [The U.S. Supreme Court Marriage Equality] Ruling Compelled The Taxpayers Of Texas To Pay For A Vast Array Of Benefits For Same-Sex Spouses”

In Pidgeon v. Turner, Two Houston Residents Alleged That The City Overreached By Extending State Employee Marriage Benefits To Same-Sex Couples Under The 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision that Legalized Same-Sex Marriage. “The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the case that could restrict the benefits of married same-sex couples on Wednesday. In Pidgeon v. Turner, two Houston residents are alleging that the city is overreaching by extending state employee marriage benefits to same-sex couples under Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage throughout the county. As the Texas Tribune reports, the lawsuit is part of an effort by Texas Republicans to begin chipping away at the federal ruling.” [Texas Monthly, 3/1/17]

Fifty Republicans From The Texas Legislature Signed A ‘Friend-Of-The-Court’ Brief In The Suit, Arguing That The Same-Sex Spouses Of Government Employees Shouldn’t Be Entitled To Health Insurance And Other Benefits. “Fifty Republican members of the Texas Legislature have signed a court brief arguing that the same-sex spouses of government employees shouldn’t be entitled to health insurance and other benefits. The ‘friend-of-the-court’ brief was submitted Friday in a lawsuit brought by anti-LGBT activists against the city of Houston in response to then-Mayor Annise Parker’s decision to extend benefits to the same-sex spouses of city employees in 2013.” [Texas Observer, 10/17/16]

The Brief Petitioned The Texas Supreme Court For A Rehearing After It Refused To Hear The Case. “Last month, the Texas Supreme Court refused to hear the case, Pidgeon v. Parker, with only Justice John Devine dissenting. But Jonathan Saenz, president of the anti-LGBT group Texas Values, and former Harris County GOP chair Jared Woodfill have petitioned the nine-member court for a rehearing.” [Texas Observer, 10/17/16]

Leach Signed The Brief. “The elected officials who signed the brief are [ ] Jeff Leach[.]” [Texas … Observer, 10/17/16]

Brief: While The U.S. Supreme Court Ruled In 2015 In Obergefell v. Hodges That Same-Sex Couples Had A Right To Marry, “Nothing In That Ruling Compelled The Taxpayers Of Texas To Pay For A Vast Array Of Benefits For Same-Sex Spouses.” “The brief argues that while the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015 in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples have a right to marry, ‘nothing in that ruling compelled the taxpayers of Texas to pay for a vast array of benefits for same-sex spouses.’” [Texas Observer, 10/17/16]

The Brief Emphasized That Texas Supreme Court Justices Were Elected Officials, Pleading For Them To Stand Up Against “Federal Tyranny.” “‘This Court has the opportunity to diminish federal tyranny and re-establish Texas Sovereignty,’ the brief states. ‘The people have already spoken on the issue through the Texas Legislature. It would be a detriment to their constituents if this elected Court were to remain silent.’” [Texas Observer, 10/17/16]

Leach Cast Multiple Votes To Discriminate Against Transgender Children

Leach Voted To Keep Transgender Students From Using School Bathrooms That Matched Their Gender Identity

The Texas House Voted To Approve A Proposal That Would Keep Transgender Students From Using School Bathrooms That Matched Their Gender Identity. “Amid threats of a special legislative session over the ‘bathroom bill,’ the Texas House on Sunday took a last-minute vote to approve a proposal that would keep transgender students from using school bathrooms that match their gender identity. The House voted 91-50 to amend Senate Bill 2078 — which focuses on school districts’ ‘multihazard emergency operations plans’ — to add bathroom restrictions that some Republicans had pushed for since the beginning of the legislative session.” [Texas Tribune, 5/21/17]

Leach Voted In Favor Of The Amendment. “Amendment No. 2 Representative Paddie offered the following amendment to SBi2078: Amend SBi2078 (house committee report) as follows: (1) On page 7, line 21, strike ‘Section 37.112’ and substitute ‘Sections 37.112 and 37.113’. (2) On page 8, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following: Sec. 37.113. RESTROOM, LOCKER ROOM, AND CHANGING FACILITY PRIVACY AND SAFETY. (a) The board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school shall ensure that each school or school facility accommodates the right of each student to access restrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities with privacy, dignity, and safety by requiring the provision of single-occupancy facilities for use by a student who does not wish to use the facilities designated for use or commonly used by persons of the student ’s biological sex. In this subsection, ‘single-occupancy facility’ includes a multi-occupancy facility only if the use occurs when no other persons are present. [ ] Amendment No. 2 was adopted by (Record 1502): 91 Yeas, 50 Nays, 1 … th Present, not voting. Yeas — [ ] Leach[.]” [Amendment No. 2 – CSHB 1, 84 Regular Session, 5/21/17] …

Leach Voted To Discriminate Against LGBT Teens By Applying A Different Standard To Their Relationships Than Existed For Heterosexual Teens

Heterosexual Teens Benefit From A Legal Standard Called The Romeo And Juliet Defense But Davis Cast A Vote Effectively Saying “Two Romeos Or Two Juliets Need Not Apply”

House Bill 71, Would Remove The Phrase ‘And Of The Opposite Sex’ From The Definition Of “Affirmative Defense” To The Felony Of Indecency With A Child, Resulting In The Allowance For Teenagers Less Than Three Years Apart In Age Not Just Applying To Heterosexual Teens. “In Texas it’s against the law for anyone, even other teenagers, to have sexual contact with someone under 17 years of age. But puberty normally hits before then and, well, things have been known to happen. In the past, sexual contact between minors has led to criminal charges, but there is some legal leniency. Under Texas law, if two reported teenage lovers are no more than three years apart in age, the older of the two could get an affirmative defense to the felony of indecency with a child. They call this the Romeo and Juliet defense, but note here; two Romeos or two Juliets need not apply. El Paso Democrat Representative Mary González is trying to change that. She authored House Bill 71, which would remove the phrase ‘and of the opposite sex’ from the section of the Texas Penal Code that defines an affirmative defense. Other stipulations? The older of the two minors did not use duress, force or threats at the time of sexual contact and did not have a reportable conviction or adjudication for a previous sexual offense.” [Texas Standard, 4/28/15]

th Leach Voted Against House Bill 71. [HB71, 84 Session, 5/14/15]

Leach Voted Against Giving School Districts Necessary Funding To Collect Data Regarding Discrimination Or Harassment Based On Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Disability Or Religion

Leach Voted Against A Directive To Give School Districts Necessary Funding To Collect Data Regarding Discrimination Or Harassment Based On Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Disability Or Religion

Amendment 11 To CSHB 1 Directed The Texas Education Agency To Allocate Necessary Funds To Collect Data From School Districts Regarding Any Incident Of Alleged Discrimination Or Harassment Of A School District Employee Or Student On The Basis Of Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Disability Or Religion. “Out of the funds appropriated above in Strategy B.1.1, Assessment and Accountability System, the Texas Education Agency shall allocate the amount necessary each fiscal year to collect data from school districts regarding any incident of alleged discrimination or harassment of a school district employee or student on the basis of the actual or perceived ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or national origin of the employee or student that occurs in each district during the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2015. The agency shall include the information obtained under this rider in the comprehensive biennial report th required by Section 39.332, Education Code.” [Amendment 11 – CSHB 1, 84 Session, Introduced 3/31/15]

th Leach Voted To Table The Amendment. [Amendment 11 – CSHB 1, 84 Session, 3/31/15]