Home » GOP Governors Push for National Ban on Gender-Related Healthcare for Minors Salt Lake City, UT, USA

GOP Governors Push for National Ban on Gender-Related Healthcare for Minors Salt Lake City, UT, USA

by Republican Digest Contributor

On August 21, 2024, a group of Republican governors gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, to announce their support for a nationwide ban on gender-affirming medical treatments for minors, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgeries. The initiative, called the “Protecting Children’s Health Act,” seeks to prevent minors from undergoing gender transition procedures until they reach the age of 18, arguing that children are too young to make irreversible decisions about their gender identity.

Governor Spencer Cox of Utah, who hosted the announcement, was joined by fellow Republican governors Ron DeSantis of Florida, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, and Greg Abbott of Texas. These governors have already signed similar laws in their respective states, and they are now calling for a federal ban on gender-affirming treatments for minors.

“We believe that children should not be subjected to irreversible medical procedures without fully understanding the consequences of those decisions,” Governor Cox said during the press conference. “This legislation is about protecting minors from what could be harmful, experimental treatments and ensuring that parents are involved in these important decisions.”

The proposed bill would prevent healthcare providers from administering puberty blockers, hormone treatments, or performing gender-affirming surgeries on minors. In addition, the initiative calls for requiring mental health evaluations for minors before any treatments can be administered, advocating for counseling and therapy as alternatives to medical interventions. The governors emphasized that the goal of the bill is to safeguard the physical and mental health of children and to give them time to reach adulthood before making irreversible decisions regarding their gender identity.

Governor DeSantis, a vocal proponent of limiting gender-affirming care for minors, expressed his belief that such procedures are experimental and should not be available to children who may later regret the decision. He also emphasized that the role of parents in these decisions should not be undermined by government policies or medical professionals.

“This is about protecting children and ensuring that they are not rushed into making decisions that could affect the rest of their lives,” DeSantis said. “Florida has already taken action, and we’re now calling for a national solution to ensure the safety of our children.”

The proposal has received support from conservative groups such as the Family Research Council and the Heritage Foundation, which argue that the legislation is necessary to protect minors from potentially harmful treatments.

However, the bill has sparked fierce opposition from LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, mental health professionals, and progressive lawmakers, who argue that the restrictions will harm transgender youth and exacerbate mental health issues, including depression and suicidal thoughts. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have strongly opposed the proposal, stating that gender-affirming care is vital for the well-being of transgender minors.

“This bill will hurt transgender youth by denying them the medical care they need and exacerbating the mental health challenges they already face,” said an AMA spokesperson.

As the proposal moves forward, it is expected to play a prominent role in the 2024 election debates, with conservatives framing it as a necessary step in protecting children, while opponents argue that it infringes on the rights of transgender individuals and undermines medical autonomy. The outcome of the initiative will shape the future of healthcare policies related to gender identity and minors across the United States.

 

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