Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine has been called “reprehensible” for proudly announcing that “gender-affirming” treatment of transgender kids is supported “at the best levels” of President Biden’s administration.
Levine, the highest-ranking transgender official in US history, made the claim at a talk in Connecticut last month when asked about criticism of health centers treating children with the likes of puberty blockers and hormones.
She maintained the attacks are “ideologically and politically motivated,” calling them “unconscionable.”
“I can say that the youngsters, their families and also you all as their providers have support at the best levels of the federal government,” Levine told the Pediatric Grand Rounds session in Hartford.
“President Biden supports you … Vice President Harris supports you. Across the administration, the departments support you,” she said, saying that she talks “about this topic all over the place I’m going.”
Levine maintained that treatments like hormone and puberty blockers are “medically vital, protected and effective” and crucial for trans youth suffering depression and “attempting suicide at an alarming rate.”
“It’s the bullying, harassment, discrimination of transgender youth that results in these conditions” whereas those that get support “even have excellent mental health outcomes,” she maintained.
“Gender-affirming care is medical care. Gender-affirming care is mental health care. And literally, gender-affirming care is suicide prevention care,” Levine said, vowing to “try every little thing we are able to legally” to dam states from implementing laws blocking treatments.
“But I’m positive and optimistic and hopeful that the wheel will turn” and “this issue won’t be as politically and socially such a minefield,” she said.
Nonetheless, her newly unearthed comments faced fierce pushback.
Rep. Andy Harris, a physician and member of the House Doctors Caucus, told Fox News that it’s “reprehensible for a government official — let alone the Assistant US Secretary of HHS — to advertise the genital mutilation of minors as becoming a regular practice.”
“Many pediatricians … have expressed serious concerns in regards to the use of puberty blockers, hormone blockers, and sex transition surgeries in minors.
“These doctors know that these medications and procedures can impact children’s bone growth, fertility, and risk of breast and prostate cancer.
“Meanwhile, HHS has pressured providers to supply this care or else face discrimination lawsuits. We must protect our kids,” said Harris, stating he was “proud” to co-sponsor the ‘Protect Children’s Innocence Act’ which might prohibit such treatments.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb of the Do No Harm organization — a body of medical professionals combating “woke” activism in healthcare — also told Fox News that Levine’s claims that such treatment will soon be fully embraced “is incorrect and should be countered.”
“There is no such thing as a good evidence that children treated with gender-altering hormones or puberty blockers have improved mental health assessments,” Goldfarb said.
“There may be irrevocable harm being done to children by those pushing for these radical, ideologically driven, treatments. Treatment for minors must be based on rigorous scientific inquiry, not on dubious, agenda-driven studies or the demands of activists.”
As Levine stated, Biden supports such treatments — calling Florida’s push to ban them “near sinful.”
“It’s just terrible what they’re doing,” Biden told The Each day Show.
“It’s not like, , a child wakes up one morning and says, , I made a decision I desired to turn into a person, or I would like to turn into a girl …. I mean, what are they fascinated about here?
“It’s cruel,” he said.
