Vermont Business Magazine The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, Vermont Medical Society and Vermont Psychiatric Association are deeply disappointed by the executive order issued by President Trump’s Administration on January 28, 2025, which seeks to restrict access to medically necessary, evidence-based health care for transgender youth. Policies like these cause harm, create confusion, and put unnecessary barriers between patients and the healthcare they need. Health care decisions should be made by patients, families, and medical professionals, not driven by intrusive and political ideology.
This order specifically targets gender-affirming care, attempting to threaten health care providers and institutions with the loss of federal funding, including for research and education.
While this order is designed to create fear, uncertainty, and panic, it does not take effect immediately. It will require regulatory action, face significant legal challenges, and is unlikely to be fully implemented as written. Every major medical organization supports gender-affirming care as evidenced based practice[i] and attempts to override that medical consensus are both unethical and legally questionable.
Please know that Vermont health care practitioners are continuing to provide care at this time. Multiple organizations in Vermont are working to ensure that the rights of patients, families and healthcare practitioners are protected.
Trans youth need comprehensive, individualized, family-based care from trained, multidisciplinary teams. This care is lifesaving. Families and youth must know that they are not alone.
For now, know this: Trans youth belong. They are loved. They deserve care, safety, and joy. We will not stop fighting for their right to live authentically and access the care they need.
[i] https://vermontbiz.com/news/2021/april/16/medical-leaders-call-scott-and-lawmakers-denouncerestrictions-gender-care
Montpelier, Vt. (January 31, 2025) - Vermont Medical Society https://vtmd.org/
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