Letter to the Editor: Responding to Michigan Medicine’s gender-affirming care decision

Read the original piece here.

I hope Dr. David Miller, president of U-M health and Michigan Medicine, will reconsider the decision to stop gender-affirming care for minors. As a patient who has for many years received medical care exclusively at Michigan Medicine, I am aghast that they are letting President Donald Trump dictate medical care at the University of Michigan. Bullies usually come back for more — if they don’t draw the line on evidence-based medical care, does Michigan Medicine have any lines? Will they completely knuckle under? They’re joining a politically motivated hate-group in targeting a vulnerable, fragile population. Have they no shame? And what will be next? Will it involve my medical care? The authoritarian Trump administration no doubt has Michigan Medicine down as an easy touch.

Speaking of shame, I am also a U-M alum and a current volunteer at University Hospital. I have been proud, until now, of being a part of these institutions, especially the hospital. But if they allow Trump to tell them how to care for patients, they are betraying the trust of their patients, excellent dedicated medical staff and those of us who have till now proudly supported them. I’ll continue to support them, but not without a lack of confidence in the benevolence of the medical administration. When I worked in a middle school, I was aware of some students sorting out their identity, those who might possibly be transgender. They were generally fragile, vulnerable and a bit isolated. They need strong affirmative support, not a weak, cowardly betrayal from a powerful, prestigious medical institution. 

I hope Michigan Medicine will reconsider. 

Janet Bourgon is a University of Michigan alumni, and can be reached at jabourgon@gmail.com.

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