Demands answers from the agency surrounding “gender-affirming” care guidance  

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra demanding the agency answer for its guidance that encourages medical professionals to provide “gender-affirming” treatments for children and the use of taxpayer dollars to prescribe dangerous and experimental drugs and surgeries on America’s youth.

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) joined Risch in sending the letter. U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho) led the letter in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Congressmen Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), and Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) also signed the letter.

“‘Gender-affirming care’ is far from proper health care given the treatments include experimental hormonal and surgical interventions on children’s bodies that cause permanent damage. Millions of parents across the nation are fearful that medical professionals are advocating for and are performing irreversible interventions on their children that will permanently alter them both physically and emotionally,” wrote the Members. “We, as members of Congress who similarly are concerned about the well-being of our nation’s children and the potential use of taxpayer dollars that may fund these dangerous medical procedures, want answers as to what guidance HHS is sharing regarding this so-called care, the evidence for these policy decisions, and a full systemic review to ensure these changes are not ideologically motivated.”

“As our country’s leading health agency that advises pediatricians, parents, and policy makers on best practices, HHS has a moral responsibility to ensure its recommendations are evidence-based and not driven by a contentious ideology. We are increasingly alarmed that HHS’ advocacy has led health professionals to prescribe dangerous and experimental drugs and surgeries to troubled children—in many cases covered with taxpayer dollars,” continued the Members. 

The Members are calling on the Department to respond to their questions within 30 days.

The full letter is available HERE.

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