Rand Paul criticized for questioning the transgender health candidate

Rand Paul criticized for questioning the transgender health candidate

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Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by The AIDS Institute – Pointing a finger at the Capitol riot; The Republican Party opposes Biden’s relief plan. Sanders votes against USDA candidate Biden, Vilsack Senate confirms Vilsack as secretary of agriculture. (R-Ky.) You are facing criticism for your questioning one of the President bidenJoe BidenKlain on Manchin’s objection to Neera Tanden: He “does not answer us at the White House”. Senators have not given a deadline for the removal of the National Guard, near the Capitol Night defense: new president of the Senate Armed Services talks about candidate for Pentagon policy, Afghanistan, more | Biden reads report on Khashoggi’s murder | Austin highlights vaccine safety in new video MOREhealth nominees of, Rachel LevineRachel LevinePete Buttigieg represents progress, but the LGBTQ community needs more It’s time to support science-based sex education A candidate for Biden offers a chance to learn from the transgender community MORE, a former state health officer who would be the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate.

Paul characterized gender-assertive care, including surgical treatments for transgender individuals, as “genital mutilation”, a description not supported by leading health experts.

“It is very important to me that our nominees are treated with respect and that our questions focus on their qualifications and the work ahead of us, rather than false ideological and harmful representations like the ones we heard from Senator Paul before,” said the senator Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurrayBiden for health care faces first Senate test overnight Health care: US surpasses half a million COVID deaths | House Panel advances help project for Biden .9T COVID-19 | Johnson & Johnson ready to deliver doses to 20 million Americans by the end of March 12:30 The Hill report: Mars rover getting ready to land MORE (D-Wash.), The chairman of the Senate Health Committee, who considered Levine’s appointment on Thursday.

Levine was appointed assistant secretary of health in the Department of Health and Human Services, a function that primarily oversees the agency’s public health initiatives.

Levine, a pediatrician, previously served as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. While other senators questioned Levine about public health issues, including mental health and COVID-19, Paul focused on treating trans youth.

Paul specifically said that Levine supports surgeries for transgender children, a misleading statement that has emerged in conservative media and social media in recent days.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health says that genital surgery should not be performed until patients reach adulthood. In 2015, Levine said during a public event that surgical treatment is not recommended before age 18. In 2017, she said that there are “some procedures” that can be done before age 18.

“Transgender medicine is a very complex and nuanced field, with robust research and developed treatment standards,” said Levine to Paul, although she did not specifically answer his question.

If it is confirmed, she added, she will be happy to discuss the standard of care for transgender individuals and minors.

Paul also criticized the use of reversible puberty blockers, which can be used for teenagers with gender dysphoria as a way to give them time before making more permanent decisions, such as surgery, in adulthood.

Research has shown that puberty blockers, which are reversible, can reduce suicidal thoughts in transgender adolescence.

“Rand Paul chose devotion to extremist anti-LGBTQ groups over the substance and health of our nation – and you don’t deserve to hold public office, ”said Ruben Gonzales, executive director of the LGBTQ Victory Institute.

“His comments echo the talking points of the same organizations that said that gay men deserved AIDS and that LGBTQ people should be criminalized. He explicitly attacked vulnerable trans youth for his own perceived political gain and was a disgrace. Dr. Levine is an extremely qualified candidate, whose experience can help the United States effectively tackle this pandemic, but he took the opportunity to give a voice to hate groups. “

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