On August 22, 2025 during their quarterly meeting, the Alaska State Medical Board advanced two statements:

• Declaring gender-affirming care for minors “grossly negligent,” which could lead to provider discipline and potential compromise of their license.

• Raising late-term abortion as a future target for regulation.

These actions are not medical decisions—they are political moves. The Board’s aim to restrict gender affirming care contradicts supporting statements for gender affirming care by numerous medical organizations including, but not limited to, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association, and many more.

Yes. Nothing changes immediately. Providers can still prescribe evidence-based care, and families can still access it.

Yes. Gender-affirming care is:

• Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, and every many other leading U.S. medical associations. Both international and national clinical guidelines are published.

• Not experimental. The same medications (i.e., such as puberty blockers and hormones) are safely prescribed to cisgender youth for other conditions.

• Life-saving. Research shows affirming care reduces suicide risk, improves mental health, supports psychosocial wellbeing, and helps youth thrive.

The Alaska State Medical Board’s statement is not yet a binding regulation. After the 30-day public comment period, the Board could move to adopt formal rules. If those rules are enacted, providers could then face discipline for following nationally accepted standards of care.

Identity, along with community stakeholders and medical partners, are working to fight this and bring awareness to the value and necessity of gender affirming care for Alaska youth. Families and providers can help by submitting public comments and sharing their stories.

The Medical Board is being co-opted for political purposes. Instead of focusing on patient safety and the necessity to accessible care, they are pushing ideology. This threatens the integrity of Alaska’s healthcare system and undermines families’ right to make private medical decisions with trusted healthcare professionals.

If enforced, these actions would:

• Strip providers of their professional and clinical judgment.

• Drive more families to leave Alaska to seek care elsewhere.

• Worsen Alaska’s existing provider shortage and poor retention.

• Undermine trust in the entire healthcare system—not just LGBTQ+ care.

• You are not alone. Providers, parents, and advocates are fighting alongside you.

• Your child is still worthy of care. Transgender and gender-expansive youth deserve the same right to healthcare as any other child.

• Gender affirming care is multi-faceted. Although the medical aspect of care is under scrutiny, know that there are ways for your family and youth to continue to be supported through social, legal and community aspects.

• We will not back down. Identity will continue to defend and advocate for your right to raise your family with access to effective and necessary medical care.

• Submit a public comment during the 30-day period (Identity will share instructions).

• Share your story—personal voices are powerful in shaping public understanding.

• Sign the provider open letter: Action Network Sign-On Letter

• Stay informed by subscribing to Identity’s updates.

• Support families and providers—speak up, show up, and remind them they’re not alone.

• Identity’s full statement

• Provider open letter

• The Importance of Gender-Affirming Care for Young People

Not at this time. Providers can still practice within nationally accepted standards of care. If the Alaska State Medical Board moves to adopt binding regulations after the comment period, providers could face discipline for continuing to provide gender-affirming care to minors. Identity and partners are working to prevent that outcome.

No. The Medical Board’s current statement specifically targets care for minors. However, politicizing medical decisions in this way sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to restrict other kinds of healthcare in the future.

Families and providers are still protected by existing laws and medical standards. Providers are legally allowed to prescribe gender-affirming care. If new regulations are passed, there may be legal challenges. Identity is working with partners to monitor and respond as this situation evolves.

Yes. Once a medical board sets a precedent of making politically-driven rather than evidence-based decisions, it opens the door to future restrictions—on reproductive care, end-of-life care, and other areas where politicians may attempt to override medical judgment.

Matthew Heilala, Brent Taylor, David Paulson, Ryan McDonough, David Barnes, David Wilson.

• Organizing families and providers to submit comments and share their voices.

• Coordinating with medical professionals to affirm evidence-based standards of care.

• Engaging the public through statements, podcasts, and letters.

• Standing with LGBTQIA2S+ youth and families to ensure they are not left to navigate this alone.