The AMA Speaks Up

In an article in the AMA newsletter they speak out against the invasive trans laws in the Republican states…

Why anti-transgender bills are a dangerous intrusion on medicine
By Kevin B. O'Reilly News Editor
May 7, 2021


What’s the news: The AMA is sending a strong message to America’s governors to stop interfering in the medical care of transgender minors.

Legislation pending in several states aims to prohibit medically necessary gender transition-related care for minor patients. AMA Executive Vice President and CEO James L. Madara, MD, wrote to Bill McBride, executive director of the National Governors Association warning that these measures would “insert the government into clinical decision-making and force physicians to disregard clinical guidelines.” Such legislation was enacted in Arkansas last month after legislators overrode a veto by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

“Decisions about medical care belong within the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship,” he added. “We believe it is inappropriate and harmful for any state to legislatively dictate that certain transition-related services are never appropriate and limit the range of options physicians and families may consider when making decisions for pediatric patients.”

In their letter they state,

On behalf of the American Medical Association (AMA) and our physician and medical student members, I write to urge the National Governors Association (NGA) and its member governors to oppose state legislation that would prohibit the provision of medically necessary gender transition-related care to minor patients. We believe this legislation represents a dangerous governmental intrusion into the practice of medicine and will be detrimental to the health of transgender children across the country.

Empirical evidence has demonstrated that trans and non-binary gender identities are normal variations of human identity and expression. For gender diverse individuals, standards of care and accepted medically necessary services that affirm gender or treat gender dysphoria may include mental health counseling, non-medical social transition, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and/or gender-affirming surgeries. Clinical guidelines established by professional medical organizations for the care of minors promote these supportive interventions based on the current evidence and that enable young people to explore and live the gender that they choose. Every major medical association in the United States recognizes the medical necessity of transition-related care for improving the physical and mental health of transgender people.

They have our back.

But I doubt very much that the Republicans will listen.

Interesting that in the letter they use “trans” and not transgender.