In Response to Missouri Attorney General’s Emergency Rule Restricting Access to Gender Affirming Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2023
‍MEDIA CONTACT: KJ McDonald, kj@mohealthcareforall.org

In response to the Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s new proposed emergency rule limiting access to gender-affirming care for transgender children, Missouri Health Care for All issued the following statement:

“Missouri’s appointed Attorney General has taken inappropriate action to effectively ban access to gender-affirming care for transgender children in our state. This misuse of power puts lives at risk. 

Every major medical association agrees that physical and mental health outcomes are better for transgender children when they have access to gender-affirming health care. Inversely, the ubiquity of transphobic messaging in our community, including from various levels of government, contributes to poor health outcomes for transgender children, including depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal ideation.

The biggest threats to the health of Missouri’s trans children are violence, abuse, and ostracization. Misinformation and bigotry exacerbate these threats, causing real harm to trans children and adults alike.

Missouri Health Care for All believes health care decisions should remain between patients, parents, and doctors. We call on the Missouri AG and legislature to prioritize the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Missourians and abandon these politically-motivated attacks on the trans community.‍”

Missouri Health Care for All is the only permanent, statewide organization in Missouri focused solely on grassroots organizing and mobilization to address health care issues. We partner with multi-issue statewide organizations and health-focused local organizations to ensure every person has access to affordable, quality care. Visit www.missourihealthcareforall.org.