Protect trans youth healthcare access, align with medical consensus

Gender-affirming healthcare for transgender individuals is supported by major medical associations and evidence-based research as medically necessary and lifesaving care. Arizona Senate Bill 1687 seeks to deny access to this care, contravening scientific consensus and potentially leading to severe mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and suicidality in an already vulnerable population. The bill threatens healthcare providers with criminal charges for providing ethical, standard treatment and enables discrimination against parents by allowing the state to bring child abuse charges for supporting their child's health and wellbeing. Any legislation must align with medical expertise, protect intersex youth, and safeguard the rights of trans people, their families, and doctors to make personal healthcare decisions free from government overreach. Prohibiting the use of public funds for gender-affirming care creates unequal, discriminatory barriers that endanger lives.