Oppose Felony Ban on Gender-Affirming Healthcare for Transgender Youth

I am writing to urge you to oppose any legislation that would criminalize gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, including the bill recently passed by the House with a vote of 216-211 and the related Medicaid ban expected to be voted on shortly. The House bill, introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, would impose prison sentences of up to 10 years on healthcare providers who offer gender-affirming care to minors. This legislation criminalizes what medical professionals consider standard medical care and threatens the lives of vulnerable young people. Trans psychiatrists and healthcare providers are warning that kids will die if access to this care is eliminated. Mental health outcomes among transgender youth are already declining rapidly, and removing access to evidence-based treatment will only accelerate this crisis. Gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers, has been proven safe and effective by major medical organizations. Puberty blockers are reversible interventions that give young people time to explore their identity without the distress of unwanted physical changes. Denying this care forces transgender youth into a mental health crisis that can have devastating consequences, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. The passage of this bill in the House, even though it is not expected to pass the Senate, normalizes criminal penalties for healthcare and sets a dangerous precedent for future federal and administrative restrictions. It sends a message to transgender youth that their lives and wellbeing do not matter, and it threatens the ability of healthcare providers to offer compassionate, evidence-based care. I urge you to publicly oppose these bills and to stand with the medical community and transgender youth. Healthcare decisions should be made by patients, families, and doctors, not by politicians seeking to score political points. Please vote against any legislation that would criminalize gender-affirming care and speak out against this harmful attack on vulnerable young people.