Many States Are Trying to Restrict Gender Treatments for Adults, Too

Some legislators have introduced broader bills to prohibit gender-related health care in government-owned and operated health centers or those who accept state funding.

In Oklahoma, for instance, a bill proposed this year by State Senate Nathan Dahm would deny Medicaid reimbursement for any treatment or procedure to any health center which offers gender care, or works with providers who offer it.

In a January interview, Mr. Dahm stated that his sole goal was to prevent taxpayers from paying for transition procedures. He said that if an adult wishes to pay for the transition procedures themselves and make their own decision, they are free to do so. He acknowledged that some providers of health care may stop providing care to adults if the policy is implemented.

In recent decades, doctors have removed more and more barriers to adult hormone treatment, including psychological evaluations. They are now allowing patients to make their own decisions.

There is a very wide consensus that gender affirming care for adult transgenders is both appropriate and beneficial, said Erica Anderson. She's a clinical psychology and former president of U.S. Professional Association for Transgender Health.

Dr. Anderson is a transgender female who has expressed her concern about the increasing number of adolescents seeking gender-related treatment, particularly those with complex mental health issues. She also supported certain European countries such as Sweden and Britain that recently limited the time children could undergo certain medical treatment.

Last month, Dr. Anderson signed a letter with hundreds of other clinicians that stressed the importance and benefits of gender affirming care for transgender children. She also denounced legislative bans in the United States. She said that extending such restrictions to adult will cause significant harm.