Ann Bracken

Health care to treat gender dysphoria is medically necessary, evidence-based care provided to people to alleviate the psychological distress associated with incongruence between an individual’s gender and their sex assigned at birth. Gender dysphoria is recognized as a serious medical condition. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other major medical organizations — including the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization — support giving transgender adolescents access to the health care they need. The AAP opposes any laws or regulations that discriminate against transgender and gender-diverse individuals, or that interfere in the doctor-patient relationship. I am a pediatrician practicing in New Hampshire, and I support the position of the AAP. Ann C. Bracken, MD, PhD