FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box: 21161
2300 18th St NW Lbby
Washington, DC 20009-9996
June 26, 2025
Doctors for America Condemns Skrmetti Decision, LGBTQ+ Hotline Closure
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 18, the United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender minors to stand, upholding a discriminatory policy that denies medically necessary care to a vulnerable population. Just one day earlier, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that it would be ending specialized suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, effective July 17.
Doctors for America strongly condemns both of these actions as dangerous, discriminatory attacks on the health and safety of LGBTQ+ people, especially youth. These decisions, taken together, represent a devastating blow to the right of the LGBTQ+ people to access basic, life-saving care, both physical and mental. They send an unmistakable message that queer and trans lives are disposable.
Gender-affirming care is a well-established, evidence-based medical care that dramatically improves mental health outcomes and overall well-being for transgender and gender diverse people. Banning such care for minors–while still permitting undesired surgeries on intersex children–reveals a harmful double standard that targets and further marginalizes already vulnerable populations.
At the same time, cutting specialized mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth erases the unique struggles they face, from increased risk of family rejection to higher rates of bullying, harassment and suicide. Removing a tailored support system while stripping away access to care is not only negligent, it is lethal. Mental health care must be inclusive, affirming, and accessible to everyone who needs it.
Doctors for America stands firmly with LGBTQ+ communities, both patients and providers, and reaffirms our commitment to fighting for their right to high-quality, affirming health care. This Pride Month, and every month, we will not back down from our work to ensure that LGBTQ+ people can access the full spectrum of care they deserve, free from fear, stigma, or political interference.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the Trevor Project continues to provide 24/7 support for LGBTQ+ youth and can be reached at 1-866-488-7386.
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About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America mobilizes doctors and medical students to be leaders in putting patients over politics to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. DFA is an organization of over 27,000 physician and medical student advocates in all 50 states, representing all areas of specialization. DFA teaches physicians and medical students advocacy skills and does advocacy at a state and federal level. Our impact areas focus on access to affordable care, community health and prevention, and health justice and equity. DFA focuses solely on what is best for our patients, not on the business side of medicine, and does not accept any funding from pharmaceutical or medical device companies, which uniquely positions DFA as the organization that puts patients over politics and patients over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on X drsforamerica or Bluesky drsforamerica.bsky.social.