On Aug. 22, the Alaska State Medical Board will consider a proposal aimed at holding doctors accountable for engaging in the so-called “gender transitioning” of minor children.

The resolution under consideration recognizes that doctors who engage in these controversial practices are involved in “unprofessional conduct,” which does not conform to acceptable standards of medical practice.

If the proposed changes are approved, those who violate the provisions could be denied medical licenses to work in the State of Alaska.

Specifically, the proposal looks to add the following language to an extensive list of actions that are deemed unprofessional conduct:

“Providing medical or surgical intervention to treat gender dysphoria or facilitate gender transition by altering sex characteristics inconsistent with the biological sex at birth, including but not limited to puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, mastectomy, phalloplasty, or genital mutilation to a minor under the age of 18 years old. Exceptions include but are not limited to: Treatments for congenital sex development disorders or non-elective procedures for physical injury.”

Additionally, the proposed changes would define biological sex as “the male or female designation based on chromosomes, gonads, hormones, and genitals at birth, irrespective of psychological identity.”

It would also define gender transition as “any process to align sex characteristics with a gender identity different from biological sex.”

On June 5, the Medical Board voted 5-0 to authorize Member Matt Heilala to draft the proposed resolution. This comes after Alaska lawmakers failed to take any action on the Medical Board’s statement this past March, which was sent to all 60 members of the State Legislature, urging them to stop the chemical and surgical mutilation of minors.

The March statement noted that these practices show “insufficient evidence of long-term benefits and risks of irreversible harm.”

“We view these interventions as lacking legitimacy as standard medical practice for those under the age of 18 years old,” the Medical Board stated at the time. “We support legislative limits on such treatments and promote psychological support and counseling as safer alternatives. This reflects our duty to protect patients and uphold evidence-based care.”

Fully half of all states have already implemented laws protecting kids from irreversible and damaging medical interventions on minors. President Trump issued an executive order earlier this year on this matter stating, “Countless children soon regret that they have been mutilated and begin to grasp the horrifying tragedy that they will never be able to conceive children of their own or nurture their children through breastfeeding. Moreover, these vulnerable youths’ medical bills may rise throughout their lifetimes, as they are often trapped with lifelong medical complications, a losing war with their own bodies, and, tragically, sterilization.”

More than 60 studies have been issued debunking claims that puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and mutilation surgery are beneficial for young people with gender dysphoria.

In Alaska, however, a recent report revealed that at least eight prominent medical facilities have issued cross-sex drugs and puberty blockers to dozens of minors. These so-called “treatments” included powerful hormonal interventions that can arrest or stunt natural puberty in gender-confused kids, and can lead to serious and life-altering medical side effects, including heart problems, reduced bone mass, interruption to natural brain development and permanent sterilization.

Alaska facilities cited in the report include Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, South Peninsula Hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital, Barlett Regional Hospital, PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center, Central Peninsula Hospital and one independent facility.

LATE TERM ABORTION

In a separate action, the board is also set to vote on a statement aimed at educating Alaskans about the expansive nature and lack of regulation of abortion in Alaska, especially as it relates to late-term abortions.

The proposal states: “Alaska state law allows for elective late term abortions, up until the time of delivery. The Alaska State Medical Board believes this is not ethical medical practice and does not embody the values of Alaskans. Many Alaskans and even physicians are unaware of this. We encourage Alaskans to engage with their representatives and to advocate for new legislation to bring state law into alignment with community values on this issue.”

The State Medical Board consists of up to eight members, which are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Legislature. Board members can include five licensed Alaska physicians, one physician assistant and two other members with no direct financial interest in the health care industry.

The Board is responsible for the licensing, regulation, and discipline of medical practitioners in the State of Alaska.

Current board members include physicians Brent Taylor, David Paulson, Ryan McDonald, David Barns and Matt Heilala, along with public member David Wilson.

TAKING ACTION

— Click here to learn more about the Aug. 22 Medical Board Meeting.

— Click here to join the Aug. 22 meeting via zoom. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. with public comments scheduled for 8:45 a.m.

— For further information and to reach individual members, call (907) 465-2550 or email: medicalboard@alaska.gov.

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