Dear Legislators, 

Earlier this week, the Georgia Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed a bill that would prohibit medical providers, like us, from providing medical care to transgender and gender-expansive youth in our state. In an orchestrated effort to prevent public testimony, the chairman of the committee added language to an unrelated bill, HB 1170, that would ban puberty-delaying medications and hormone therapy, even for patients who are currently receiving these treatments. This motion was undertaken without prior notice to the public or medical community, thus preventing any opposing testimony from qualified, board-certified endocrinologists, pediatric and adolescent gynecologists, adolescent medicine specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other medical providers who treat patients with gender dysphoria. 

As medical professionals, we are disheartened to see our legislators prioritize political tactics and exhibit such disregard for the standards of medical care for transgender and gender-expansive youth. Gender-affirming health care is supported by every leading medical and mental health association in the U.S., including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Endocrine Society, the Pediatric Endocrine Society, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and the American Psychological Association, to name a few. 

For transgender adolescents, we know that puberty can be a time of significant distress as their bodies begin to develop in ways that are inconsistent with their gender identity. Puberty suppression helps to pause this process giving young people more time to mature and understand their gender. Puberty-delaying medications are an important tool that we can utilize when managing gender dysphoria. As a medical community, we know from decades of experience using these medications to treat kids with early-onset puberty that when these medications are stopped, puberty will resume and fertility will not be adversely affected. 

Last year, when the Georgia Legislature passed SB 140 and limited access to hormone therapy for transgender minors, the sponsors of the bill repeatedly acknowledged their support for maintaining access to puberty-delaying medication for transgender youth. Now, those same Senators who pushed through that harmful legislation are working to remove access to all medical care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. 

Gender-affirming care for transgender youth, including the use of puberty-delaying medications and hormone therapy, is the standard of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. Treatment guidelines for the management of gender dysphoria have been developed based on clinical research data that clearly shows improved outcomes for these patients. Transgender and non-binary youth with access to medical care have improved psychological function and well-being and are less likely to experience severe depression and suicidality. We have witnessed firsthand how access to quality medical care significantly improves the health and well-being of our transgender patients.

In a state already grappling with shortages of healthcare providers, this type of legislation further exacerbates the problem. Many medical trainees and providers have concerns about living and working in a state where health equity is not a priority. When surveyed, pediatric endocrinologists from all across the United States voiced concerns about their personal safety and the potential impact on their ability to care for patients amid a divisive political climate. It is unfathomable that lawmakers in Georgia would risk worsening the medical workforce shortage simply for political gain. 

HB 1170 not only bans medical care for transgender youth. It explicitly threatens to penalize medical providers who follow the treatment guidelines provided by their medical societies. Under SB 140, medical professionals were placed in a highly precarious situation where offering evidence-based medical care to transgender youth could result in losing our ability to practice medicine. HB 1170 further intensifies the consequences that we may face by allowing civil or criminal liability simply for honoring our professional commitment to act in the best interest of our patients and to minimize suffering whenever possible. This sets a dangerous precedent and devalues the hard work and commitment of medical and mental health providers to offer safe, effective, and compassionate care to our patients of all gender identities. 

Like SB 140, this current legislation is a clear form of government overreach that violates the rights of parents and medical providers to discuss healthcare options and make decisions that will be in the best interest of transgender and non-binary youth. Regardless of political affiliation, Georgians value the rights of parents and caregivers to make important medical decisions for their children. Our government should be identifying ways to improve access to care for children and adolescents across the state, not inserting themselves into the medical decision-making process and making it harder for some to acquire the care that they need. 

We are urging lawmakers to VOTE NO on HB 1170 and to stop all efforts to politicize medical care for children and adolescents in this state. Please trust us, as trained medical experts, to provide quality, individualized medical care that meets the needs of our transgender and non-binary patients and their families. 

Sincerely, 

• Cassie Grimsley Ackerley, MD, Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA
• Jason S. Schneider, MD, Internal Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Pranav Gupta, Pediatric Endocrinology
• Vin Tangpricha, Endocrinology
• Andrew Lupo, Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
• Shayne Abelkop, PhD, Licensed Psychologist
• Alan McArthur, LMSW, Adolescent & Adult Psychotherapy
• Frank Berkowitz, Pediatrics, Atlanta, GA
• Shannon Bruckner, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker (Therapist)
• Karman Duchon, Internal Medicine
• Rachel Mather, Internal Medicine
• Isabel Lowell, Family Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Katie Leikam, LCSW, LISW-CP, Psychotherapist
• Nirja Mehta, Infectious Diseases
• Amalia Aldredge, Infectious Diseases
• Abhi Kole, Internal Medicine
• Lakshmi Katta, Internal Medicine
• Liz Rhea, Gender-affirming Care and Complex Trauma, Decatur
• Vedant Gupta, Pediatric Hospitalist, Atlanta, GA
• Toby Terwilliger, Hospital Medicine
• Khaalisha Ajala, MD, Internal Medicine
• Dhyana Sankar, Internal Medicine
• Jenny Besse, CPNP-PC, Pediatric Endocrinology
• Savannah Smith, LCSW, Mental Health
• Hima Veeramachaneni, Transplant Hepatology
• Dr. James Kip Matthews, Licensed Psychologist
• David Inwards-Breland MD, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
• Kate Pfeiffer, DNP, APRN, PMHNP, Psychiatry
• Colleen Kelley, Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Atlanta
• Pan Kim, Internal Medicine
• Jennifer Rodriguez, MD, Psychiatry
• Ethan Cicero, PhD, RN, Transgender Health Scholar
• Sarah Meng, LPC, Trauma Specialist
• James M Metcalf, MD, FAAP, Pediatrics
• Beverly Wynne, NP
• Claudia Griffin, Internal Medicine
• Nova John, Internal Medicine
• Teresa Welch, C.N.A, Patient Care Tech and Medical Assistant
• TaRessa Wills, Hospital Medicine
• Michael A Gallagher, MD, Internal Medicine
• Jules Ryan Tabilona, Internal Medicine
• Mick Rehrig, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker
• Tristin Chipman, LCSW, Clinical Social Work
• Hadley Eichengreen, Emergency Medicine
• Rachel Gordon, Neonatal Perinatal Medicine
• Michelle Thomason Sariev, Family Practice
• Erin Everett, Internal Medicine
• Kyle Jones, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Keith Hood, HIV/Primary Care
• Marissa Bass, Pediatrics
• Mark Hebert, Infectious Diseases, and Men’s Health
• Antonio Luis, Internal Medicine
• Alex Galloway, Internal Medicine
• Shamie Das, MD, Emergency Medicine
• Curtis Reiber, Emergency Medicine
• Jason Stevenson, MD, Pediatrics
• Howa Yeung, MD MSc, Dermatology
• Theresa E Vettese, MD, General Internal Medicine
• Joseph Smiddy MD, Internal Medicine
• Sherri Bogard, Internal Medicine
• Briana Patterson, MD, Pediatric Endocrinology
• Nora Hanna, MD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Annelys Roque Gardner, Infectious Diseases
• Carlos Saldana, Infectious Disease
• Terry Hackworth, Internal Medicine
• Boghuma K Titanji, Internal Medicine
• Meredith Lora, Internal Medicine
• Charlie Fortin-Leung, Internal Medicine
• Erika Choi, Pediatric Endocrinology
• Susan M Ray, MD, Infectious Diseases
• Madeleine Goldstein, Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Wendy Armstrong, Infectious Disease/HIV Medicine
• Andres Camacho-Gonzalez, Pediatrics
• Andrew Muir, Pediatric Endocrinology
• Lisa Marie Cranmer, Pediatric Infectious Disease
• Paulina Rebolledo, Infectious Diseases
• Jennifer Spicer, Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases
• Michael Woodworth, MD, MSc, Infectious Diseases
• Kathryn Bertacchi, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Dylan Baker, Internal Medicine
• Mackenzie Lerario, Neurology
• Kate A. Morrissy Stahl, PhD, LCSW, CST, Clinical Social Work and Sex Therapy
• J. Sonya Haw, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids
• Athena Sherman, Trauma and Violence Survivorship and Mental Health
• Ashley Urrutia, MD, MPH, Internal Medicine, Primary Care
• Elizabeth Valera, LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor
• Shaan Patel, Internal Medicine
• Sar Medoff, Emergency Medicine
• Ameeta Kalokhe, Infectious Diseases
• Malavika Kapuria, Internal Medicine
• Carolyn Dunbar PhD, Clinical Psychologist
• Karen Lill, Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy
• Christopher Porter, Pediatrics
• Ryan DeVane, Clinical Social Worker
• Jacklyn Byrd, Gender-Affirming Mental Health Care
• Abigail Mathier, Pediatrics
• Kristin, Limpose
• Jacqueline Regan, MD, MPH, Pediatrics
• Arin Swerlick, Adolescent Medicine
• Tyler Vajdic, Pediatrics
• Amber Robinson, Therapist, Decatur, GA
• Rebecca Sanders, Pediatric Hospital Medicine
• Brianna Glover, Pediatrician
• Elan Jenkins, Pediatrics
• Heather Duke, MD, Diagnostic Radiology
• Karen Mellott, LCSW, Medical Social Work
• Julie Berry, Pediatrics, Decatur
• Jaime Stepansky, Child and Adolescent Therapist, Vinings
• Lauren DuBiner, Ophthalmology
• Amy Rule MD, MPH, Pediatrics
• Judson Miller, MD, Pediatrics
• Harendra Fernando, MD, Family Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Catherine Harm, Mental Health, Jefferson, GA
• Dr. Melissa Kulick, Licensed Psychologist, Decatur, GA
• Tony Jenkins, Licensed Professional Counselor, Marietta, GA
• Elizabeth A. Mellin, Trauma Therapy, Georgia
• Elizabeth Downey, Registered Nurse
• Michelle Johns, PhD MPH, Behavioral Health
• Anna Baxter, Gender Therapy, Roswell, GA
• Amanda I. Gillespie, PhD, Speech Language Pathology, Midtown Atlanta
• Brian Petty, Speech-Language Pathologist
• Shelley Northrup, Licensed Professional Counselor, Marietta, GA
• Amanda J Smith, MSN, FNP-C, Family Nurse Practitioner, Atlanta
• Brandi Burke MD MPH, Psychiatry, Atlanta, GA
• Shruti Erramilli, Internal Medicine
• Hayley Tseng, Internal Medicine
• Bonnie Leigh Cruser, Internal Medicine
• Jeanette Staikov, RN, Atlanta, GA
• Nathan Williams, MD, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Tom Query, Psychotherapist, Pastoral Counselor, Change Agent, Atlanta
• Brandon Woolford, Hospital Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Bashir Geer, Internal Medicine
• Shae Chisman, Marriage and Family Therapist, Canton, GA
• Hayleigh McCall McDavid, Public Health Professional, Atlanta, GA
• Alejandra Grullon, Psychiatry, Atlanta, GA
• Jeff Wieseman FNP-C, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gainesville, GA
• Malia Willis, Hospital Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Stacie Smith, Psychotherapist, Dekalb County
• James Kingman, LPC, Practice Owner
• Chelsea Marion, Pediatric Hospitalist, Atlanta, GA
• Amanda Shub, Therapy and Trauma Treatment, Marietta, GA
• John Fuente, LGBTQ+, Men’s Issues, Georgia
• Rebecca Bargeron LCSW, Private Practice Therapist, Marietta, GA
• Leslie Brinkmeyer, LCSW, Atlanta, GA
• Tiffany Alberto, Licensed Professional Counselor, Atlanta
• Christina Jordan, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Emergency Nursing, Carrollton, GA
• Caren Kaplan, Physician Assistant, Developmental Psychology
• Brittany Friend, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Alpharetta, GA
• Alisa Sanford, Adolescent Mental Health Treatment, Sandy Springs, GA
• Brittany Lannigan, Mental Health
• Susan Lasher, LCSW, Cobb County
• Melissa Dickinson, Mental Health Counseling, Atlanta, GA
• Abeke Baker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Atlanta, GA
• Kyla Rentch, Primary Care
• Dr. Barbara Rubin, Licensed Psychologist, Atlanta, GA
• Joyce Kinnard, Licensed Professional Counselor, Decatur, GA
• Yoo Mee Shin, Internal Medicine
• Emily G, Psychotherapist, Georgia
• Daniel Arnold, Psychotherapist, Atlanta, GA
• Celeste Meyer, Mental Health- Licensed Professional Counselor, Decatur, GA
• Rev. Mercy Packer-Monroe, Spiritual Health, Lawrenceville, GA
• Valeria Cantos, Infectious Diseases
• Dawn Howard, MD, Internal Medicine
• Kristine Sufcak, Pediatrics, Atlanta
• Daniel Gromer, Infectious Diseases
• Anna Lisa Derenthal, Gender Identity, Georgia
• Sara Ellison, MS, LPC, NCC, Mental Health Counselor, Atlanta
• Kimberly Austin, LCSW, Psychotherapy, Decatur, GA
• Melanie Thompson, MD, Internal Medicine
• Stacey Dougan, Licensed Professional Counselor, Atlanta, GA
• Paige Dee, Perinatal Mental Health & OCD, Atlanta, GA
• Jenna Gould, LMSW, Clinical Social Work
• Jana Pruett Covington, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Caylin Broome, LCSW, Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Rebecca Stapel-Wax, Licensed Professional Counselor, Duluth, GA
• L. Shane Blasko, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Chamblee, GA
• Henrietta Sola, Registered Nurse, Atlanta, GA
• Emily Leeper, MA, LAPC, Therapist/Counselor, Athens, GA
• Stanton Stebbins, Pediatrics
• Heather Kotler, Psychotherapy, Decatur, GA
• Austin Chan, Infectious Diseases
• Dawn Kitto, MS, LPC, CST, Professional Mental Health Counseling, Atlanta
• Heather Hopper, Clinical Psychologist, Chamblee, GA
• Jordana Heaven, MD, General Pediatrics, Woodstock, GA
• Zachary Cline-Egri, Pediatrics, Roswell, GA
• Kelley Collins, Psychotherapy & Counseling
• Jessica Sullivan, Mental Health Counseling, GA
• Carrie Gensler, Trauma, Atlanta, GA
• Melanie Storrusten, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Tucker, GA
• Casey Schrader, LCSW, Mental Healthcare
• Presley Nichols, Pediatric Endocrinology
• Alyssa Clark, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Athens, GA
• Grant D. Sparks, MS, LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor, Chamblee, GA
• Jacqueline Kuschner, APRN-CNM, Atlanta, GA
• Andrea Abshire LPC, Mental Health Counseling, Smyrna, GA
• Matthew Shugart, Mental Health Therapist, Tucker, GA
• Brooke Markwell, Licensed Professional Counselor, Marietta
• Dakota Fidram, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Atlanta, GA
• Amy Eisenman, Therapist, Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
• Kelly Simonson, Licensed Counseling Psychologist, Athens, GA
• Elizabeth Thacker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Athens, GA
• Anna Baxter, Gender and Relationship Therapy, Roswell
• Sarah Birdsong, Licensed Professional Counselor, Atlanta
• Anna Jayde Mullis, Masters of Mental Health Counseling and APC, Atlanta, GA
• David Williams, Neurology, Atlanta, GA
• Karimah Rokins, Medical Student
• Ann Abramowitz, PhD, Psychology, Atlanta, GA
• Benjamin D. Gold, MD, FAAP, FACG, NASGPHAN-F, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sandy Springs
• Remy Johanson Murray, Mental Health Counselor, Modern Path & WholeHeart Psychotherapy
• Deneta Howland Sells, Pediatrics, Atlanta, Brookhaven, Decatur, GA
• Dr. Marshall Bruner, Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Gainesville, GA
• Linda Clofine, LCSW, Social Work/Mental Health, Athens, GA
• Maggie Malone, Clinical Social Work
• Sadie Forsythe, LCSW, Mental Health
• Allie Horne, Primary Care Pediatrics, Glenwood Park, Decatur, Brookhaven
• Meghana Gaini, Pediatrics
• Erika Choi, Pediatric Endocrinology, Atlanta, GA
• Jeremy Neuman, Family Medicine, Sandy Springs, GA
• Kathryn Ganske, Counseling Psychology, Atlanta, GA
• Kristen Aycock, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, Atlanta, GA
• Lydia Walters, Mental Health Counseling, Kennesaw, GA
• Alexis Bent, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Intown Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
• Corinne Oliver, Pediatric Neurology
• Rachel Waford, PhD, ABPP, Clinical Psychology, Atlanta, GA
• Dr. Emily MacDougall, Clinical Psychologist, Atlanta, GA
• Brittany Woods, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marietta, GA
• Amanda Quintero, Racial and Cultural Trauma Therapist, Atlanta, GA
• Rachel Preston, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Atlanta, GA
• Lana Holmes, Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Decatur, GA
• Al Samach, Nurse Practitioner, Atlanta, GA
• Janet Black, Family Nurse Practitioner
• Rev. Pamela L Chubbuck Ph.D., LPC, Psychotherapy, Athens, GA
• Elizabeth Wilder Young, Mental Health Clinician
• Rachel Schenkel, MD, Family Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Matthew Reeves, Psychotherapist, Atlanta, GA
• Wayne K. Hoffman, MD, FAAFP, Family Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Michael Scarborough, FNP, Decatur, GA
• Mara Collins, Marriage and Family Therapy, Bird’s Eye View Counseling
• Laura Jalbert, Older Adult Mental Health, Georgia
• Laura Tuttle-Lê, Mental Health Therapist, Atlanta, GA
• Sarah Postich, Licensed Professional Counselor
• Lauren Leeder, PhD Student, Atlanta, GA
• Shauna Pollard, Psychology, Atlanta, GA
• Kate Woods, Licensed Professional Counselor, Athens
• Diane Hughes, LCSW, Ph.D., Therapy Private Practice, East Atlanta, GA
• Maggie Kottke, MD, Dermatology, Duluth, GA
• Adria Garrett, Pediatric Psychologist, Atlanta, GA
• Rebecca Beaton, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, Atlanta, GA
• Sander T Jones, Trauma and Relationship Counseling, Metro Atlanta
• Rachel Rainey, LCSW, Social Work, Danielsville, GA
• Alexi Johnson, Mental Health Counseling
• Ellen B. Baker, Licensed Professional Counselor
• Stephanie Linnane, Social work, Intown Cares
• Shelden Banks, Social work
• Preston Sembler, Therapist, Atlanta, GA
• Chris Harbaugh, APRN, CPNP, Pediatrics, Glenwood Park, Atlanta, GA
• Hannah Bergbower, Midwifery/Reproductive Health, Atlanta, GA
• Margaret Crewdson, Psychologist, Marietta, GA
• Miranda Barzey, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Counseling, Decatur, GA
• Lindsey Goldberg, Pediatrics, Atlanta, GA
• Bria Fields, Suicide Prevention

• Vanessa Benzan-Monteiro, LCSW
• Melanie Anderson, LCSW and DBT Therapist, Dunwoody, GA
• Lorena Lefkovitz, Mental Health
• Macy Jones, Licensed Master Social Worker
• Lance Madow, Associate Professional Counselor, Decatur, GA
• Jessi Heneghan, LCSW, Mental Health
• Joanne Quinn, LCSW, Specialty Trauma
• Gargi Mukherjee, Pediatrics
• Felicia Kanu, Social Worker
• Eddie Reece, MS, LPC, BC-TMH, Psychotherapist, Alpharetta, GA
• Jennifer McKinney, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Lawrenceville, GA
• Maryana Kleyn, Therapist, LCSW
• Jess Hsu, Women’s Health
• Matthew Collins, Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA
• Treah Caldwell, MA, LPC, LGBTQIA+ Psychotherapy, Brookhaven, GA
• Tara Noorani, Primary Care