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Post Reports

The conservative doctors upending trans rights

Jun 27, 2023
Lauren Weber, Washington Post health and science reporter, uncovers the influence of the American College of Pediatricians in shaping conservative laws on abortion and trans rights. She delves into their controversial policy positions, gaining access to their internal documents and highlighting the difficulty of finding reliable medical information on gender-affirming care.
18:50
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Episode guests

Lauren Weber

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The American College of Pediatricians, a small group within the medical community, has gained significant influence in promoting conservative laws restricting trans rights and abortion despite being rejected by the medical establishment.
  • The American College of Pediatricians has utilized conservative media platforms like Fox News and targeted doctors and legislators in red states to amplify their messaging and affect policy changes.

Deep dives

Influence of the American College of Pediatricians

The American College of Pediatricians, a small and relatively unknown group within the medical community, has garnered significant influence in recent years. Despite having only around 700 members, with approximately 60% identifying as physicians, the group has been successful in promoting its views and affecting policy changes. They have utilized right-wing media platforms like Fox News, conservative news sites, and appeared on shows like Tucker Carlson's, to amplify their messaging. Through lobbying, sending letters, and testifying in front of legislatures, they have successfully advocated for restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, influenced the abortion drug case involving Mifepristone, and affected policies at local levels.

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