Coleen Barry

Transgender teens, like all teens, have the best chance to thrive when they are supported and can get the doctor-prescribed medical care they need. Medical decisions should rest solely with doctors and families — not politicians. House Bill 377 and House Bill 712 would prevent Granite State youth from receiving evidence-based, medically necessary care that research shows can benefit the mental health and well-being of transgender youth. Gender-affirming care has been endorsed by leading U.S. medical authorities like the American Academy of Pediatrics1 and American Medical Association2. The bills would create significant change to existing healthcare practices in New Hampshire and subject health care providers to lost medical licenses or even felony charges for fulfilling their ethical obligation to offer medically necessary care to protect the health and well-being of some transgender youth.