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Archer Grimley's avatar

Trans nonbinary physician here. The organization who owns my clinic banned me from prescribing HRT for all of my trans patients of all ages, not just youth. They say the reason is the threat to their federal funding. I work in a queer primary care clinic in Las Vegas. As a result I am creating a free telemedicine clinic outside of my primary job to continue prescribing my hundreds of patients HRT. It’s been unbelievably difficult. The first malpractice insurance I applied for denied me because I provide GAHT.

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Chrissy  Ulrey's avatar

Thank you so much for finding a way to continue important work, and sacrificing your time and money to do this!

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Joy Gallagher's avatar

First thing is: Don't Panic.

I know of three groups that are distributing HRT in my area. I'm sure if you look you can find some where ever you are.

We are going to get through this because we are taking care of each other.

We will thrive just to spite them.

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Joy Gallagher's avatar

Anyone looking to import your own supplies should check out DIYHRT.wiki.

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Mary Godwyn's avatar

The devastating setbacks for trans youth just keep on coming. It is worth reading Sonia Sotomayer‘s dissent as she exemplifies humanity and American values of empathy and inclusion. This is a dark time for so many and it is clear that across-the-board the United States is no longer a trustworthy source of medical information and implementation as this decision, the Dobbs decision, the on again off again policy at the VA about whether doctors can withhold medical care from those with differing political views, etc., etc. The US will grow smaller and more isolated as new networks across the world will grow stronger.

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Mike Gelt's avatar

Newsom has no balls he is part of the problem - We must stand up for the health rights of all individuals - this is only the beginning it will continue to erode health rights as well as other rights and we can see it in trumps big beautiful bill

We need more peaceful protests like we saw in the no kings protests

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Sandra's avatar

Erin - amazing and timely reporting during a very chaotic and stressful period. All your readers are deeply grateful.

So it sounds like the GAC-protective laws and shield laws written into the blue states laws and/or constitutions are our last stand. Therefore, it seems like the best, and perhaps only remaining approach, is for our governors and AGs in those states to make sure that clinics and hospitals comply with their state laws. If successful, that approach may help preserve care, at least in the bluest states. From the Skrmetti decision, it does sound like GAC care in red states is hopelessly gone for the foreseeable future.

Very sad and discouraging times.

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Sandra's avatar

Also meant to say S. Baum - thank you and great reporting! (though very difficult and sad)

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Trink Prinz's avatar

please give names of the best organizations who need donations

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Dee E Dressler's avatar

I used to direct summer camps and one of my frustrations was when lawyers started telling us how to run summer camp. Our first goal was keeping our campers safe. Our second goal was to create a community of campers, volunteers and staff that enriched everyones lives. The lawyers tried to help us with the former which severely limited the second. I am certain that the doctors and nurses, the Cetified Nurse Assistants, the reception people and the housekeeping staff would love to stay open. It's the over cautious lawyers and the administration that don't have the guts to fight this. I wonder if the nurses unions could force the administration to fight this.

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Joan the Dork's avatar

To all hospital administrators, and to their staff attorneys, and physicians, and psychiatrists, and nurses, and pharmacists, and accountants- and yes, even to insurance agents:

Don't be a Quisling.

𝘉𝘦 𝘢 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘳.

Even if you have to make a public show of compliance in order to avoid scrutiny... in secret, be an ally. Smuggle medicine, if you have access to it. Cook the books, if you're in charge of them. Do whatever you can, for as long as you can, for as many as you can. You're not risking any more than the people who need your help are merely by existing.

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Vanessa Schmithorst's avatar

Fascism. Fascism. Fascism. History will not forget the names and faces who bent their knees in advance. I will no longer be affiliated with UPMC as of the end of this month, but my ex-spouse still works there, and I'm going to see if we can stir some shit up. This is absolutely disgraceful; the FIRST duty of EVERY health care provider is to THE PATIENT. Period. Full stop.

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Tommy Lamont's avatar

Brutal.

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