Missouri Becomes First State to Set Restrictions on "Gender Transitions"

Jean Mondoro : Apr 17, 2023
Lifesitenews.com

Under the new guidelines, medical gender "transitions" are only available to patients who for three consecutive years have "exhibited a medically documented, long-lasting, persistent and intense pattern of gender dysphoria."

[Lifesite News] – The attorney general of Missouri issued new guidance on medical interventions for gender confused individuals, including the country’s first restrictions on so-called "gender transitions" for adults. (Image: Pixabay)

In an emergency rule issued on Friday, Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced restrictions to be placed on hormonal and surgical intervention for both children and adults experiencing gender confusion. The rule highlights such procedures as violations of the state’s Merchandising Practices Act. 

"Individuals of any age experiencing gender dysphoria or related conditions should be able to and are able to obtain care in Missouri," the document states. "Often this care takes the form of psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, rather than any chemical or surgical intervention." 

"This emergency rule is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and also to protect a compelling governmental interest as the attorney general is charged with protecting consumers, including minors, from harm and investigating fraud and abuse in the state’s health care payment system. Among other reasons, the recent immense increase in the use of these life-altering interventions, which have serious side effects, as well as the recent acknowledgment that these interventions are used in circumstances not supported by solid evidence, makes this issue time sensitive." 

Medical professionals and organizations are prohibited from administering drugs and surgery in the name of "gender affirmation" if they have not annually "assessed whether the patient continues to have gender dysphoria" and "ensure[d] that, for at least the 3 most recent consecutive years, the patient has exhibited a medically documented, long-lasting, persistent and intense pattern of gender dysphoria." 

Other requirements prior to administering any so-called "gender affirming care" include "a full psychological or psychiatric assessment" with an emphasis on determining if a patient "has any mental health comorbidities" and taking necessary steps to ensure that the mental health issues have been resolved before resorting to hormonal and surgical intervention. Similar rules apply to diagnose and treat autism. Minors must also receive "comprehensive screening (at least annually) for social media addiction or compulsion" to determine whether his or her gender confusion is brought on by social contagion...Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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