News Summary
Michael Uzmann, an endocrinologist in Las Vegas, is calling for better access to gender-affirming care, likening its importance to treatments for chronic diseases. Although Nevada has made strides in this direction, challenges remain as many patients experience denial of care. Uzmann’s independent practice has become a vital resource for transgender individuals, especially minors. The struggle for comprehensive gender-affirming healthcare is ongoing amidst legislative setbacks and societal biases, highlighting the urgent need for supportive environments for transgender patients.
Las Vegas – Michael Uzmann, an endocrinologist based in Las Vegas, is advocating for increased accessibility to gender-affirming care, paralleling it with treatments available for chronic conditions such as diabetes. Uzmann’s practice, A1 Endocrinology, has seen a surge in demand for gender-affirming treatments, with over 900 transgender patients aged 11 to 84 receiving care since he established his independent practice in July 2023. However, he highlights that numerous patients continue to face denial of gender-affirming care while receiving treatment for other health issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes.
In 2023, Nevada’s legislature passed Senate Bill 163, which mandates health insurance policies to cover gender-affirming care for individuals with gender dysphoria. However, Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed a complementary law, Senate Bill 171, which aimed to safeguard gender-affirming care providers from sanctions or punishments. Had the bill passed, it was anticipated that more practitioners would offer gender-affirming care in a state where access is already limited for transgender patients.
Uzmann understands the importance of gender-affirming care, especially as he acknowledges that he is among the few providers in the area who will assist minors in their transition processes with parental consent. This is particularly significant given the current national trend towards increased restrictions on such care. He has experienced a remarkable influx of new patients following the closure of gender-affirming services at his previous employer, including around 300 patients transferring from another local practice.
The importance of gender-affirming care is underlined by the fact that gender dysphoria is recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), denoting a significant mismatch between a person’s expressed gender and their assigned gender at birth, which can lead to severe mental health issues and heightened rates of suicide. Unfortunately, the landscape of healthcare access for transgender individuals remains precarious. The only certified male-to-female surgeon in Nevada is known to Uzmann, compelling many seeking female-to-male surgeries to travel out of state for treatment.
On October 3, the Gavin J. Goorjian Community Health Center opened its doors, offering gender-affirming care and related services to the local transgender community. Despite such developments, transgender patients continue facing challenges in finding primary care physicians who are understanding of their unique healthcare needs. Uzmann notes that issues surrounding healthcare access for transgender individuals are frequently exacerbated by misunderstandings that regard their desire to transition as primarily a psychiatric condition, particularly affecting patients on Medicaid or those experiencing homelessness.
The legislative environment surrounding gender-affirming care is entwined with broader cultural and political climates, influenced by recent Supreme Court decisions and local actions. Additionally, there are heightened concerns regarding the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s decision to ban transgender high school students from participating in sports aligned with their gender identity. Uzmann points out that persistent disparities in healthcare access stem from societal bias and a lack of understanding regarding gender dysphoria.
The American Academy of Pediatrics defines gender-affirming care for minors as a supportive process that may include social affirmation and possibly medical treatments in accordance with a child’s expressed gender identity. As tensions rise against gender-affirming care, pediatricians like Uzmann are pushing for protective legislation, aiming to ensure that providers cannot face penalties for offering necessary care in good faith, regardless of varying laws across states.
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Additional Resources
- Las Vegas Weekly: Patients Struggle with Scarcity of Gender Care
- Wikipedia: Gender-affirming care
- Review-Journal: Lawmaker Wants to Protect Gender-Affirming Care in Nevada
- Google Search: Gender Affirming Care
- The Nevada Independent: Lawmakers Shield Gender-Affirming Care Providers
- Google Scholar: Gender Affirming Care
- KTNV: Mixed Results for LGBTQ Protections in Nevada
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transgender
- Nevada Current: Pediatricians Seek Shield Law for Gender-Affirming Care Providers
- Google News: Gender Affirming Care
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