Health care providers in Georgia are speaking out against Senate bills 30 and 39, which would restrict access to necessary medical care for transgender patients. Senate Bill 140, signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2023, banned hormone therapy for transgender youth but maintained access to puberty-delaying medications. Puberty-delaying medications are crucial for transgender adolescents as they provide time for families to make informed decisions about medical care. The provision of gender-affirming care, including puberty-delaying medication and hormone therapy, is endorsed by major medical associations and has been shown to improve mental health outcomes for transgender patients.
However, SB 30 and SB 39 would further restrict access to these vital treatments for transgender individuals of all ages. SB 30 specifically targets transgender youth by prohibiting puberty-delaying medications, while SB 39 restricts access to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals covered by the State Health Benefit Plan. Both bills are seen as government overreach and undermine the expertise of medical professionals in Georgia.
Health care providers argue that restricting access to gender-affirming care not only goes against scientific evidence but also poses mental health risks for transgender individuals. They urge lawmakers to reject SB 30 and SB 39 and to prioritize patient autonomy and access to evidence-based medical care. The politicization of medical decisions for transgender patients could exacerbate provider shortages in Georgia and harm the overall health and wellbeing of the population.
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