Transgender Health Care Under Threat As States Impose Restrictions

Transgender individuals in Missouri are facing limited access to gender-affirming treatments due to new restrictions imposed by Republican politicians.
Missouri's Republican Attorney General has issued an emergency rule that places strict restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors and adults.
The Missouri rule requires people to have experienced documented gender dysphoria for three years and to have received at least 15 hourly sessions with a therapist over 18 months or more before receiving puberty blockers, hormones, surgery, or other treatment.
Some transgender Missourians and healthcare providers are suing to overthrow the rule, and some providers are already planning to cut back on care.
Transgender individuals in restrictive states are resorting to self-medicating with hormones, which can be dangerous without adequate supervision.