The West Virginia House of Delegates, which is controlled by Republicans, approved a bill on Wednesday that doctors in the state believe would restrict the ability to prescribe certain medical interventions, such as hormone therapy, to transgender youth who may be at risk of self-harm or suicide.
After receiving opposition from over 500 medical professionals and students, the proposal has been approved and will now move to the Senate.
Concerns were raised about the potential harm it could cause young patients and the risk to their lives.
House Republicans reassured that concerns are exaggerated and emphasized that the bill is actually less strict than the existing law.
However, the sole LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the state and medical professionals caring for transgender youth in West Virginia have refuted this claim.
Dr. Kate Waldeck, a pediatric critical care physician at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital in Huntington, expressed concern that if the bill is passed, it will eliminate the only effective treatment for a small group of vulnerable children.
Waldeck organizes a monthly clinic for transgender youth, which is one of the few available care options in the state.
According to her, the current law allows transgender adolescents to receive necessary medical and psychiatric evaluations, while also enabling doctors to offer life-saving medical care.
Gender-affirming care is ultimately what keeps these kids out of my PICU. “It saves lives,” she exclaimed.
“The new bill aims to take away parents’ ability to access this potentially life-saving care for their children.”
During his speech on the House floor, Republican Del. Geoff Foster expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of treatments like puberty blockers in reducing suicide rates, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
He mentioned that the bill is guiding doctors towards treating the root causes of suicidality and depression, rather than ineffective solutions.
2023 Law Permits Medical Interventions for Transgender Youth
Last year, the House of Delegates, with 89 out of 100 seats held by Republicans, voted to remove transgender minors’ ability to access hormone therapy and puberty blockers.
Majority Leader Tom Takubo, a doctor who voiced concerns about the high suicide incidence among transgender adolescents, changed the bill in the Senate.
In 2023, a new law was passed that permits medical interventions with the condition of parental consent and a diagnosis of severe gender dysphoria from two medical professionals.
These professionals must also provide written testimony stating that the interventions are necessary to prevent or limit potential self-harm.