Florida Dept. of Health no longer supports treatment of gender dysphoria for minors

So now they support increased suicide and stigma

 

Once again the conservatives of past decades were right when they warned that politicians would be inserting themselves in the doctor-patient relationship only they never said that it would conservative politicians who would be doing so.

 

"Due to the lack of conclusive evidence, and the potential for long-term, irreversible effects, the Department's guidelines are as follows:

• Social gender transition should not be a treatment option for children or adolescents.
• Anyone under 18 should not be prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy.
• Gender reassignment surgery should not be a treatment option for children or adolescents.
• Based on the currently available evidence, "encouraging mastectomy, ovariectomy, uterine extirpation, penile disablement, tracheal shave, the prescription of hormones which are out of line with the genetic make-up of the child, or puberty blockers, are all clinical practices which run an unacceptably high risk of doing harm."
• Children and adolescents should be provided social support by peers and family and seek counseling from a licensed provider."

^^^ I actually agree with all of this. They are minors. When they are 18 they can do whatever they want.

 

Seems like Florida is gonna legislate everything. Doctors won’t prescribe certain medicine or treatments to pregnant patients due to safety concerns. If there was a safety concern on this issue it’s should be left up to doctors. Ron Desantis and his band of idiots aren’t qualified to remove a splinter.

 

The only provision with which I am in agreement is the prohibition against irreversible surgical intervention. The effects of puberty blockers are reversible although there is some speculation that they could have an adverse effect on fertility or bone development. Conversely for those teens who truly identify as a members of the opposite gender going through puberty would almost certainly be more damaging than receiving puberty blockers. As far as hormones are concerned they are usually not prescribed prior to the age of 16. Yes they are minors and like virtually all medical decisions, almost no one is suggesting that they have the right to make such decisions unilaterally. When medical intervention is determined to be warranted by medical professionals it is almost always done so with parental consent.

 

Weird. I keep hearing people say that parents should control things related to minors, not the state. Seemed like that was a pretty strong rationale behind allowing parents to sue school boards for educational material.

Or is it just decisions conservatives don’t like that should be for the state, rather than parents, to make for minors?

 

Can a medical person please explain what impact this has in the real world, particularly with regard to private health care providers and private insurance companies? Thanks. .

 

While I have no problem with the legislation but it is absolutely hilarious to see Republicans tripping all over themselves to hoist up big Gov Ron and his continuous big gov policies.

 

Why would you agree with any of it? Why shouldn't parents have the power in consultation with their doctors to determine what course of treatment is best for their children? These are evidence-based treatments that lower the risk of suicide and other adverse mental health issues. Additionally, "social gender transition" means living as your preferred gender identity, not medical treatments. That's not irreversible. Barring minors from doing so is likely to worsen their gender dysphoria.

 

DeSantis and his flying monkeys in the legislature can’t seem to find the time to address things like the drug epidemic in Florida that has killed over 25K Floridians in the last 5 years, a COVID pandemic that has killed 74k ppl, or the suicide rates of youth who experience victimization, bullying, and sexual/dating violence. But they’re sure as Hell going to pass laws to make laws so you can’t treat it, or even talk about it.

 

'Parental rights' only apply when its what they agree with

 

I’m fine if they want to dress and live as the opposite sex. But I’m adamantly opposed to any hormone therapy, puberty blockers or surgery for minors. I’m not sure why a medical doctor would consult with a minor on cross dressing or living like the opposite sex but I would agree that should not be illegal.

 

Puberty blockers and hormones are all reversible, its not even on the same planet as surgery, which isnt on the table for people who havent been living that way for a very long time. If you read up on this stuff, its not scary, and makes complete sense. Not only that, its proven to reduce suicides and self-harm, and improve mental health vs. no treatment at all.

 

Why should you have any right to tell medical professionals, parents, and their children what treatments they can and can't access? Hormone therapy and puberty blockers are proven, safe treatments. My understanding is that doctors don't even recommend gender reassignment surgery to minors.

 

Kind of like their belief in "limited government."

 

Or "state's rights."

 

Or almost anything else

 

Safe treatments for what? Their physical health is not in danger. And spare me the mental health angle - being a kid is hard for most people and I don't think most of us had any real idea of who we are before we were adults. These kids can wait until they are 18 and then, if they still want to switch sides, go for it. I think its asinine for a child to make what could be an irreversible decision to change their sex by way of chemicals or surgery before they are old enough to vote. I don't think parents or children should have the power to change a child's sex.

 

In a race with Texas and Mississippi to make the Handmaid's Tale a documentary and not a work of fiction.