Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine is under fire for claiming that “there is no argument” about “gender-affirming care” among pediatricians and doctors who specialize in adolescents. Last year, Levine became the very first openly transgender four-star officer in America’s eight uniformed services. The 63-year-old was sworn in as an admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps by Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, confirmed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The remarks were made during a recent interview with NPR. Levine made the comments ahead of a speech at Texas Christian University, in which Levine blamed the high rate of suicidal ideation among transgender-identifying youth in part on “harassment, scapegoating and intentional abuse.” “The language of medicine and science is being used to drive people to suicide,” Levine claimed.
“There is no argument among medical professionals – pediatricians, pediatric endocrinologists, adolescent medicine physicians, adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists, etc. – about the value and the importance of gender-affirming care,” Levine said. Definitions in a fact sheet from Levine’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in March say that “gender-affirming care” includes social affirmation at any age, puberty blockers during puberty and hormone therapy starting during early adolescence. As per the agency, irreversible surgery is “typically used in adulthood or case-by-case basis in adolescence.”
The claims in the HHS fact sheet regarding the treatment of minors with gender dysphoria were refuted by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who released a different fact sheet. The Florida Department of Health advised against social transition, puberty blockers, hormones and surgery as treatment options for children and adolescents, citing a “lack of conclusive evidence, and the potential for long-term, irreversible effects.”
The Florida guidance was dismissed by Levine as “based upon political considerations” and “not appropriate.” “We need to stand against that both from a medical and public health point of view,” Levine said.
Levine has come under fire for the remarks. President of Judicial Watch Tom Fitton wrote on Twitter, “Biden admin transgender extremist attacks parents and legislators seeking to protect children from radical ideology which includes surgeries and hormone treatments.” One user wrote, “The lies coming from this administration are outrageous.”
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) May 1, 2022
“Dr. Rachel Levine, the Asst Secry of Health, and an out transwoman, spreads distortions and lies about “gender affirming health care” on Twitter,” one user wrote, while another said, “This is a complete utter lie @HHS_ASH I want to know what you have threatened Pediatricians with. Pulling their licenses to practice ? This is wrong in so many different ways. Parents need to stand up for their kids. If they want to change at 18 fine.” One user commented, “#RachelLevine may follow any desired life path. But pushing horrific, often irreversible procedures for children is child abuse, and the assertion that there is no debate over these horrors in professional circles is a lie.”
* story by meaww.com
