JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 A Missouri judge on Monday upheld a 2023 state law that prohibits physicians from providing hormone treatment and puberty blockers to transgender youth.
Circuit Judge Robert Craig Carter issued on Monday affirming the law.
Three parents from 最新杏吧原创 County and their minor children who are transgender challenged the restrictions in a lawsuit filed last year.
They argued the minors had been prevented from obtaining medically necessary and evidence-based care, and that the government had usurped parental judgment and decision-making authority.
The state has argued there 鈥渋s no solid evidence that gender transition interventions are safe and effective.鈥
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Carter said the court found 鈥渁n almost total lack of consensus as to the medical ethics of adolescent gender dysphoria treatment.鈥
Carter, in his ruling, also聽 upholding a similar Indiana law 鈥渧ery convincing.鈥
The federal court said opponents of the law heralded statements from medical authorities 鈥渙n their side鈥 as evidence the Indiana Legislature acted imprudently.聽
鈥淏ut the federal courts do not mediate medical debates,鈥 the opinion said. 鈥淭he Constitution vests the people and their chosen representatives with that responsibility.鈥
Missouri鈥檚 Republican-led Legislature approved and Gov. Mike Parson signed the restrictions in 2023.
Missouri鈥檚 law came after Jamie Reed, a former case manager at the Washington University Transgender Center, raised concerns about care being provided at the clinic. Reed testified at the trial this fall in defense of Missouri鈥檚 restrictions.
Since the law took effect, Washington University said it would stop providing gender-affirming medications to minors who were technically eligible for the treatments under an exception in the law for minors already taking medications. The school cited 鈥渦nacceptable鈥 legal liability contained in the law.
The school announced its decision after 最新杏吧原创 Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer last year allowed the law to take effect while the plaintiffs鈥 case played out.
The plaintiffs subsequently asked for a new judge in the case, leading to the Missouri Supreme Court appointing Carter, who typically works in Douglas County.
This article will be updated.
PROMO Executive Director Katy Erker-Lynch discusses legislation on transgender medical care issues and other topics during a Missouri House hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. Video provided by the House; edited by Beth O'Malley
Jamie Reed, a whistleblower who used to work at a Washington University clinic for transgender children, discusses legislation on transgender medical care issues and other topics during a Missouri House hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. Video provided by the House; edited by Beth O'Malley
