Florida health officials have asked the state health council to develop new policies that are likely to limit the treatment of sexual dysphoria for transgender youth as the state intensifies its ongoing attacks against treatment amid the country’s cultural wars.
Officials also say such treatment should not be covered by Medicaid. In an extensive report Thursday, the Florida Health Agency said puberty blockers, cross-hormones and sex reassignment surgery have not been shown to be safe or effective in treating gender dysphoria. Tom Wallace, the state deputy director of Medicaid, signed the report.
In response, Florida General Surgeon Dr. Joseph Ladapo wrote a letter to the State Medical Council asking him to review the findings and set new standards for children seeking “these complex and irreversible procedures.”
“Florida needs to do more to protect children from policy-based medicine,” Ladapo wrote. “Otherwise, children and adolescents in our state will continue to face significant risks of long-term damage.”
Transsexual medical treatment for children and adolescents is increasingly being attacked in many states, where it is defined as a form of child abuse or subject to various prohibitions.
Many doctors and mental health professionals claim that medical treatment for transgender children is safe and beneficial and can improve their well-being, despite the lack of rigorous long-term research on the benefits and risks. Federal guidelines say that sex care is crucial to the health and well-being of transgender and non-binary children.
Last year, the American Medical Association issued a letter urging governors to block any legislation banning treatment, calling it “dangerous interference with medical practice.” minors.
This is not the first time Florida officials have opposed such treatment. Similar steps have already been taken by the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has embraced clashes in the country’s cultural war as he runs for re-election and expects to run for president in 2024.
Last month, the administration issued guidelines that repelled federal guidelines, opposing a “gender transition” or gender reassignment surgery for children and adolescents and blockers of puberty for anyone under 18.
Last year, DeSantis signed a law banning transgender girls and women from playing in public school teams designed for student-athletes identified as girls at birth.
The action drew condemnation from the World Professional Association for Transsexual Health, an international group of doctors and others involved in the treatment of transgender people.
“Florida’s attack on transgender communities is relentless,” Dr. Walter Booman, the group’s president, said in a statement Friday. He noted that the association’s U.S. branch had previously attacked Florida’s ongoing efforts, saying it “lacks scientific merit, and in some cases misinterprets or distorts available data.”
“Florida health agencies have a responsibility to support the health and well-being of their residents, including those who are transgender,” Booman said. “Instead, the state has chosen to issue misleading and dangerous reports designed to harm transgender people.
Add Comment