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Terry Lee Fowler vs. transgender people

Terry Lee Fowler is an American attorney, nurse, author, and anti-transgender activist. Fowler prepared a 2024 amicus curiae brief on behalf of ex-transgender activists and their promoters in support of the respondent in US v. Skrmetti, US Supreme Court Case No. 23-477.

Background

According to an Amazon author profile: “Terry Lee Fowler was born and raised in Albuquerque. […] Terry is a graduate of the University of New Mexico (BA), Presbyterian School of Nursing (Diploma), Iliff school of Theology (MAR), and the University of Denver (JD).” Fowler was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1992. Fowler was affiliated with Colorado’s Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People.

In 2011, Fowler and Lyssa Towl were employees of Evercare Hospice (later known as Optum Palliative and Hospice Care). In a sealed whistleblower complaint, they alleged that Evercare and affiliated UnitedHealth companies knowingly submitted false Medicare claims by enrolling and retaining patients who did not qualify for hospice benefits. After investigating the allegations for more than three years, the U.S. Department of Justice elected in August 2014 to intervene on significant portions of the case. In July 2016, Evercare agreed to pay $18 million to resolve the consolidated False Claims Act litigation without an admission of liability. Fowler and Towl were awarded 20% of the settlement ($3.6 million total).

2024 amicus curiae brief

In 2024, Fowler was submitting lawyer on an amicus curiae brief that supported Tennessee’s state ban on transgender healthcare for young people. Fowler’s 2024 brief lists dozens of amici curiae, organized thus:

Detransitioners Community: “Some detransitioners and desisters names may be preferred names or pseudonyms due to personal privacy concerns.”

Organizations:

Public Officials:

  • Lana Loree Theis, Michigan State Senator
  • Shawn Thierry, Texas State Representative
  • Sarah Penn, FNP, Wyoming State Representative

Healthcare & Research Scholars:

  • Johnathan Edwards, MD, Anesthesiologist & section co-author
  • David Boettger, MD, Pediatrician
  • Edward E. Waldrep, PhD, MSCP, Psychologist
  • Jennifer Bauwens, PhD Clinical Social Worker
  • Paul Terdale, MS, MBA, Health Consumer Advocate
  • Raheem Williams, MA, Economist & co-author
  • Julia Schaletzky, Director of CEND, University of California, Berkeley
  • Jordan B. Peterson, Professor of Psychology, University of Toronto
  • Diana F. Lutfi, JD, MSHCM, CPHQ, primary author & organizer

References

Prendergast, Alan (July 15, 2016). $18 Million Settlement in Medicare Fraud Case. Westworld https://www.westword.com/news/18-million-settlement-in-medicare-fraud-case-8099185/

Prendergast, Alan (September 3, 2014). Medicare Fraud Case Claims Optum Put Patients in Hospice Care Who Weren’t Terminal. Westworld https://www.westword.com/news/medicare-fraud-case-claims-optum-put-patients-in-hospice-care-who-werent-terminal-5868287/

Selected cases involving Fowler

Fowler. Terry Lee and signatories (OCTOBER 15, 2024). BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE THE LARGER DETRANSITIONERS COMMUNITY INCLUDING PUBLIC OFFICIALS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, AND RESEARCHERS IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENTS. US v. Skrmetti , No. 23-477 https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-477/328719/20241018182632065_241012a%20v2%20AC%20Brief%20for%20efiling.pdf

United States District Court District of Colorado (2011 ff.). 11-642 – Fowler et al v. Evercare Hospice, Inc. et al. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCOURTS-cod-1_11-cv-00642

Books

Fowler. Terry Lee (2024). Remembering Pilar. Independently published, ISBN 979-8327330825

Fowler. Terry Lee (2013). San Mateo’s Axe. CreateSpace ISBN 978-1492281610

Resources

Amazon (amazon.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People (thelegalcenter.org) [archive]