Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to object to a proposed rule which would force hospitals and doctors to provide sex-change procedures and hormone blockers to children.

“Under no circumstances should a child under the age of 18 undergo gender reassignment surgery or take hormone blockers,” Rep. Burchett wrote. “This type of surgery and sterilization is irreversible and the fact that the Biden Administration may make it easier for an adolescent who has not fully developed to choose to mutilate his or her body is despicable.”

As written, the proposed rule would clarify that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected under the nondiscrimination clause of the Affordable Care Act, which would prevent doctors or hospitals from refusing to provide sex-change surgeries or hormone blockers to minors.

You can read the full text of Rep. Burchett’s letter by clicking here or read below:

Dear Secretary Becerra,

I write today with serious concerns about the Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed rule on Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities regarding “gender affirming care.” 

As it is written, this rule would force hospitals and doctors to administer gender affirmation procedures and hormone blockers to minors. This is unconscionable. Under no circumstances should a child under the age of 18 undergo gender reassignment surgery or take hormone blockers. This type of surgery and sterilization is irreversible and the fact that the Biden Administration may make it easier for an adolescent who has not fully developed to choose to mutilate his or her body is despicable. 

To put it bluntly, the Biden Administration is sacrificing children on the altar of wokeness. Many children who receive vaginectomies, mastectomies, puberty blockers, and other treatments will mature and realize they made a grave mistake. Men’s bone density and growth will be permanently weakened and stunted; women will be made infertile. I could go on, but the point is that children are incapable of understanding these lifelong effects. 

The first promise of the Hippocratic Oath is, “do no harm.” Unfortunately, if this HHS rule advances in its current state, the Biden Administration will be forcing doctors to break their most sacred vow and irreversibly harm our nation’s most vulnerable. 

Sincerely, 

Tim Burchett 

Member of Congress 

Original source can be found here.