Supreme Court Sets ‘Dangerous Precedent’ on Gender-Affirming Care

By Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics

The Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Skrmetti will have profound and far-reaching consequences for the health and well-being of transgender youth across this country and for the doctors who care for them. To be clear—regardless of the legal ruling—the science still supports gender-affirming care, children will still need it.

Nothing in this decision explicitly bans such care. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) remains unwavering in our support for transgender and gender-diverse youth and their access to the same standard of compassionate, evidence-based care as every other child. 

Gender-affirming care is medically necessary for treating gender dysphoria and is backed by decades of peer-reviewed research, clinical experience, and scientific consensus. Too often mischaracterized as exclusively involving surgery and hormones, this care is provided thoughtfully and with the involvement of multidisciplinary teams of physicians, mental health professionals, families, and most importantly, young people themselves. Denying patients access to this care not only undermines their health and safety, it robs them of basic human dignity.

The ruling also sets a dangerous precedent for legislative interference in the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship that is at the core of our health system.

The AAP stands firmly with pediatricians and families making healthcare decisions together and free from political interference. We remain committed to advancing care that protects the health, safety, and dignity of all children.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

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