ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – A significant development is on the horizon for Alaska’s healthcare landscape as the state medical board prepares to review a proposal that threatens disciplinary action against medical professionals providing gender-affirming care to minors. The proposal, which has garnered considerable attention, characterizes such treatments as “grossly negligent,” leaving healthcare providers vulnerable to potential sanctions from the board.
This initiative comes on the heels of a letter sent by the medical board in March, voicing opposition to hormonal and surgical interventions for minors and urging lawmakers to impose restrictions on these treatments. Although both the Alaska House and Senate are controlled by bipartisan majorities, the Legislature did not address this issue before concluding its session in May.
Critics of the board’s proposal have expressed concerns about the overreach of its authority. State Senator Löki Tobin, a Democrat and staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, argued that by pursuing regulations that could penalize medical professionals, the board is effectively usurping the legislative process. Tobin contended that the board’s attempts to impose regulations are “inappropriate,” and advocates for allowing the legislative body to determine healthcare policies.
At a June meeting, the medical board assigned member Matt Heilala, a podiatrist based in Anchorage, to draft a statement that would clarify the implications of declaring care providers as “grossly negligent.” Despite requests for more details leading up to the board’s meeting, Heilala did not provide specific information but reassured that the proposed rules would be developed transparently and deliberately over a period of months.
Gender-affirming care encompasses a variety of medical and mental health services aimed at supporting individuals whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. This care includes counseling, puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and, though rare, surgeries for minors. Major medical organizations maintain that such treatments are vital for those grappling with gender dysphoria and advocate for understanding gender as a spectrum.
The political climate around this issue is fraught with contention. In Texas, for instance, Governor Greg Abbott authorized investigations into parents of transgender youth for potential child abuse related to gender-affirming care. However, Texas courts intervened in 2022, blocking these investigations by ruling that they could not proceed against families seeking care for their transgender children.
In Alaska, advocacy groups like Identity Inc. have mobilized against the proposed action. Executive Director Tom Pittman reported that approximately 500 medical professionals in Alaska have signed an open letter opposing the board's proposed changes. The letter emphasizes that gender-affirming care, when delivered in collaboration with families, adheres to evidence-based medical practices.
Pittman condemned the characterization of such care as “negligent,” labeling it as a political move with harmful repercussions for healthcare providers and, more importantly, for young people requiring these treatments. He noted that fewer than 100 youth in Alaska are currently receiving gender-affirming care, emphasizing the vulnerability of this population.
Furthermore, Pittman suggested that Heilala's actions may be driven by political aspirations, as he is one of at least eight Republicans vying for the governorship next year. Despite the political implications raised, Heilala contended that the discussions surrounding the regulations predate his gubernatorial ambitions and are part of the board's ongoing efforts in addressing the issue. The outcome of the proposed regulations and their potential impact on healthcare providers and the youth seeking care remains to be seen.
