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RELEASE: Franson applauds medical policy changes protecting children

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Franson applauds medical policy changes protecting children

Saint Paul, MN - Following the American Medical Association (AMA) and American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) changing their positions to oppose gender-related surgeries on children, Representative Mary Franson (R-Alexandria), released the following statement.

"This is a step forward for protecting children, and ensuring that medical decisions impacting children's lives are backed by science - not politics. The rush to provide irreversible surgical interventions has bypassed the cautious, evidence-based approach that our children deserve. While we've seen a trend of ideology taking precedence over health outcomes, the updated positions from multiple major medical associations are a much-needed return to the principle of First, Do No Harm that our medical system is built on."

The ASPS said in a recent statement that there is "insufficient evidence" that the benefits of irreversible gender surgery on minors outweigh the risks, and the AMA said that "the AMA agrees with ASPS that surgical interventions in minors should be generally deferred to adulthood."

Franson chief-authored a bill removing gender-affirming care from jurisdictional custody disputes and repealing the prohibition on health plan discretion in gender-affirming care coverage.

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