A huge thank you to Dr. Nadig, MD for her letter to the editor denouncing proposed Senate Bill 55. The bill’s purpose is to prohibit gender-affirming care for children in our state, under the guise of protecting children. The letter points out, yet again, that this bill affects only about 0.1% of children. But, let’s be perfectly clear here, grade schoolers are not just walking into doctors’ offices by themselves seeking care. Are legislators thinking that they are better suited to decide what care a child should receive than doctors and parents are?
If Rep. Hilovsky and Sen. Richardson (sponsors of the bill) are so concerned about protecting children, why are they not rushing instead to protect the thousands of children who are insured by Medicaid? Will they stand up for all those children (currently 40% of the population) who need everything from meds for strep throat to cancer treatments? Check your priorities, gentlemen.
It is fascinating to me that elected government officials would find it appropriate to write legislation that directly contradicts the treatments recommended by the American Medical Association and the Endocrinology Institute. These revered professional organizations promote evidence-based guidelines and standards of care with a conservative approach. They recommend that parents take their children dealing with gender dysphoria for medical evaluation and advice. Any medications and/or procedures would be age-appropriate and with the consent of the parents and child. These organizations also strongly oppose any state legislation prohibiting medically necessary gender-affirming care, or any efforts to limit insurance coverage for these families.
Kudos also to Cape Henlopen School District, which has instituted training for teachers and staff around bullying of this same group of children. The real protectors of children in this scenario are these educators who stop bullying, the medical professionals who provide treatment and parents who seek factual advice. Without these protectors, the incidence of severe depression and suicide is real for these children. For those who vehemently oppose gender-affirming care and anti-bullying programming for any child in need, shame on you! Take the time to educate yourselves on a topic about which you clearly have limited information.
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