The American Medical Association addressed the nation's governors in an open letter that denounces anti-trans bills advancing through state legislatures blocking - and in some cases criminalizing - medical treatment for transgender minors. NBC News reports that the letter, written by the AMA's CEO, James Madara, and addressed to the chairman of National Governors Association, "cited evidence that trans and nonbinary gender identities 'are normal variations of human identity and expression,' " and decried "a dangerous governmental intrusion into the practice of medicine." The letter cited an Arkansas measure that provides steep penalties to doctors who treat trans minors and outlaws the accessing of transition-related medical care by people under the age of 18. That law and "similar bills pending in several other states would insert the government into clinical decision-making and force physicians to disregard clinical guidelines," the AMA letter warned. "Decisions about medical care belong within the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship," the letter added. "As with all medical interventions, physicians are guided by their ethical duty to act in the best interest of their patients". The letter went on to warn that "forgoing gender-affirming care can have tragic consequences," citing mental health and substance abuse statistics that show trans individuals to be elevated risk - a consequence, the letter said, of "the chronic stress from coping with societal stigma, and discrimination because of one's gender identity and expression. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?? (?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi , ?: Getty)

The American Medical Association addressed the nation's governors in an open letter that denounces anti-trans bills advancing through state legislatures blocking - and in some cases criminalizing - medical treatment for transgender minors. NBC News reports that the letter, written by the AMA's CEO, James Madara, and addressed to the chairman of National Governors Association, "cited evidence that trans and nonbinary gender identities 'are normal variations of human identity and expression,' " and decried "a dangerous governmental intrusion into the practice of medicine." The letter cited an Arkansas measure that provides steep penalties to doctors who treat trans minors and outlaws the accessing of transition-related medical care by people under the age of 18. That law and "similar bills pending in several other states would insert the government into clinical decision-making and force physicians to disregard clinical guidelines," the AMA letter warned. "Decisions about medical care belong within the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship," the letter added. "As with all medical interventions, physicians are guided by their ethical duty to act in the best interest of their patients". The letter went on to warn that "forgoing gender-affirming care can have tragic consequences," citing mental health and substance abuse statistics that show trans individuals to be elevated risk - a consequence, the letter said, of "the chronic stress from coping with societal stigma, and discrimination because of one's gender identity and expression. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?? (?️: Kilian Melloy / @dragelruairi , ?: Getty)