The highest-ranking transgender individual in the U.S. government, Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, claimed medical professionals support “gender-affirming care.”
Assistant Secretary Levine said there is no argument among medical professionals about the value and the importance of gender-affirming care. Levine’s remarks were made during an interview with NPR in advance of a scheduled Saturday speech at Texas Christian University. Levine said pediatricians, pediatric endocrinologists, adolescent medicine physicians, adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists were the types of medical professionals she referenced.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki made a similar claim during an April 18 press conference.
“To be clear, every major medical association agrees that gender-affirming healthcare for transgender kids is a best practice and potentially lifesaving,” Psaki said.
A Department of Health and Human Services fact sheet published in March describes “gender-affirming care” as social affirmation at any age, puberty blockers during puberty and hormone therapy starting during early adolescence. The agency explained irreversible surgery is more often performed on adults than adolescents who are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo reached a different conclusion and said his state would not follow federal guidelines about “gender-affirming” care. Doctor Ladapo released a different fact sheet refuting the claims of the HHS regarding the treatment of minors with gender dysphoria.
Citing a “lack of conclusive evidence, and the potential for long-term, irreversible effects,” the Florida Department of Health advised against social transition, puberty blockers, hormones and surgery as treatment options for children and adolescents.
Levine dismissed the Florida surgeon general’s decision as one “based upon political considerations” and called it “not appropriate.”
“We need to stand against that both from a medical and public health point of view,” Levine said. “The language of medicine and science is being used to drive people to suicide.”
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