Dr. Kade Goepferd, who uses they/them pronouns, has been receiving death threats for their work treating transgender youths at Children’s Minnesota Hospital. Despite the harassment, Goepferd is more concerned about the growing waitlist at their Gender Health Program, the only multispecialty pediatric gender clinic in Minnesota. The waitlist has increased due to bans on gender-affirming care for minors in surrounding states, leading to a 30% increase in calls and wait times of at least a year for new patients.
With 26 states now having restrictions on transgender health care for minors, providers like Goepferd are struggling to keep up with the demand. NBC News spoke to clinicians in states where gender-affirming care for minors is legal, and found they are treating transgender youths fleeing bans. The surge in out-of-state patients creates logistical challenges and a legal risk for health care professionals.
The bans contradict the recommendations of major medical associations, which support the treatment of gender dysphoria before age 18. Care for young children typically involves social changes, while preteens may receive puberty blockers and teens can start gender-affirming hormone therapy. Many transgender youths are seeking care out of state and facing insurance issues, high costs, and challenges with finding pharmacists willing to fill prescriptions.
The system is being strained by the bans, with providers facing threats and legal uncertainties. Shield laws aimed at protecting gender-affirming care providers remain untested and may not hold up in court, creating a challenging environment for those seeking or providing care for transgender youths.
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