Treatment of Transgender Youth Reignited in Florida | Health News

ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE, Associated Press

Tallahassee, Florida (AP) — Florida health officials may limit gender identity treatment for transgender youth as the state intensifies its ongoing attacks on treatment during the national cultural war. Requested the State Medical Commission to draft a policy.

Authorities also argue that such treatment should not be covered by Medicaid. In a long report Thursday, the Florida Department of Health said that puberty inhibitors, sex reassignment surgery, and sex reassignment surgery have not proven safe or effective in the treatment of gender identity. Tom Wallace, Deputy Director of the State of Medicaid, approved the report.

In response, Dr. Joseph Ladapo of the Florida Public Health Department wrote to the State Medical Commission to review the findings and set new standards for children seeking “these complex and irreversible procedures.” Asked to establish.

“Florida must do more to protect children from political health care, otherwise children and adolescents in our state are at considerable risk of long-term harm. Will continue to face. “

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Transgender treatment of children and teens is increasingly being attacked in many states that are considered a form of child abuse or subject to various bans.

Many doctors and mental health professionals claim that treatment of transgender children is safe and beneficial and can improve their well-being, but lacks rigorous long-term research on benefits and risks. increase. According to federal guidelines, gender-identifying care is essential for the health and well-being of transgender and non-binary children.

Last year, the American Medical Association called such behavior a “dangerous intrusion into medical practice” and issued a letter urging the governor to block laws banning treatment. Minors.

This is not the first time Florida authorities have opposed such treatment. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has embraced clashes in the country’s cultural war with the aim of running for reelection in 2024 and running for president.

Last month, the administration released guidance against federal guidelines by opposition to “social transsexuals” or sex reassignment surgery for children and adolescents, and adolescent inhibitors for people under the age of 18. ..

Last year, DeSantis signed a law prohibiting transgender girls and women from playing in public school teams for student athletes identified as girls at birth.

This behavior has been criticized by physicians and other international groups involved in the treatment of transgender people, the World Association of Transgender Health Professionals.

“The attacks on Florida’s transgender community were unforgiving,” Dr. Walter Bouman, chairman of the group, said in a statement on Friday. Misinterpret or distort available data “

“Florida health agencies have a duty to support the health and well-being of residents, including transgender people,” said Bouman. “Instead, the state has chosen to issue misleading and dangerous reports aimed at harming transgender people.”

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