Among the thousands of legislators, governors, and judges in the US, few are medical professionals. Yet, we empower lawmakers, sworn to uphold our rights, to insert their personal judgments between us and our medical doctors.
US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled that healthcare providers can no longer prescribe mifepristone, a drug used in maternity care. This is despite the FDA's approval of mifepristone in 2000. A judge, not a doctor, decided that after 23 years of approved use, the drug is unsafe and ineffective. If the ruling stands, mifepristone will be banned in every state. Even where abortion is legal.
Iowa lawmakers decided that transgender children can no longer receive gender-affirming care. This is despite gender-affirming care being supported by the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Legislators, not doctors, decided that the long-term effects of gender-affirming care are unknown.
I don’t write this to change minds about abortion or transgender rights. Believe what you will. The issue is allowing lawmakers—untrained in medicine—to come between us and our doctors. Write your elected officials! Vote for candidates who don’t make healthcare decisions for you! Your medication could be banned next!