In response to an executive order by President Trump demanding a systematic review within 90 days, the Department of Health and Human Services released on May 1 a 409-page document reviewing the history and evidence surrounding medical treatment of minors with gender dysphoria. Given Trump’s politicization of the issue during the campaign and his subsequent incendiary rhetoric justifying the executive order, people are understandably skeptical. The report’s credibility is at present undermined by the anonymity of its nine authors, which HHS defends by saying it will be undergoing further blind peer review. Shouldn’t peer review happen before releasing such a document? Why the rush to do it in 90 days, when most such studies take years? This report and the way it was released are obviously matters to which we must return as the dust settles.
Predictably, associations representing the interests of America’s for-profit medical providers are quick to condemn the study (find it HERE!) before anyone has had time to read it. One journalist who was allowed to see an advance copy is Jesse Singal, who has studied the issue for years and written multiple articles critical of what he sees as shoddy science touting dubious benefits and ignoring risks. He finds the HHS report credible and consistent with the reviews conducted by European countries that do not have for-profit health care systems and do not see party divisions on the issue. See what he has to say at:
