A plastic surgeon argues that banning gender-affirming care harms vulnerable youth rather than protecting them. When physician groups withdraw services due to government pressure, patients lose access to evidence-based medical treatment and mental health support. The editorial emphasizes that these restrictions erode medical professionals' ability to provide comprehensive care to transgender and non-binary adolescents. Restrictions compromise clinical judgment and the doctor-patient relationship, ultimately worsening health outcomes for young people already facing elevated risks of depression and anxiety.
