CEC Rips Trump’s Attack on Medical Care for Transgender People

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) made the following statement after President Trump issued an Executive Order to target medically necessary health care for transgender individuals under 19 years of age:

“This Executive Order to deny young transgender people access to the evidence-based, medically-necessary and often lifesaving care they need is an attempt by Donald Trump to insert himself into doctors’ offices across the country and override their medical judgment,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Decisions about a young person’s healthcare belong with the patient, their families, and their doctors. Politicians should not be overriding the private medical decisions of any person, period.”

BACKGROUND ON MEDCAL CARE FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
Every major medical and mental health association in the U.S., representing more than 1.3 million U.S. doctors, supports providing age-appropriate and affirming healthcare for transgender people. This includes the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Endocrine Society, among other organizations.