1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

The proposed H.R. 734 bill raises serious concerns about violating the rights and well-being of transgender youth. Banning essential medical care like puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for minors goes against established standards of care and puts already vulnerable kids at risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. The punitive measures targeting doctors also undermine their ability to provide ethical, evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. Furthermore, denying federal funding for gender-affirming care altogether discriminates against transgender individuals of all ages and creates undue barriers to accessing vital health services. Tax credits and cost-sharing assistance under the Affordable Care Act may not be used for plans that cover gender-affirming care, and small employers may not receive a credit for their contributions to employee health care plans that cover gender-affirming care. Institutions of higher education that receive federal funds may not provide instruction in gender-affirming care, and accrediting agencies may not accredit institutions of higher education that do so. People from other countries who are found to have provided gender-affirming care to minors are ineligible for visas or admission to the U.S., and if they are already here it is grounds for deportation. Such measures conflict with principles of equal protection and violate medical ethics by overriding the patient-provider relationship. Rather than imposing harmful restrictions, policies should aim to promote the health and dignity of all people, including transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Lawmakers are urged to reconsider this H.R. 734 legislation which threatens to do considerable harm. Healthcare decisions should remain between patients, their families, and their doctors - not dictated through punitive laws. Protecting vulnerable groups and respecting medical ethics must be prioritized.