St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

Brad Paquette, a Michigan state legislator, has recently posted a series of tweets criticizing the American Medical Association (AMA) and its stance on medical procedures for transgender youth.

On August 26, 2025, Paquette wrote: "The American Medical Association is a bulwark in support of experimentation on vulnerable children. Media outlets tell me that my bills prohibiting these invasive procedures on children are bad because the AMA supports creating pharmaceutical customers ***for life*** out of https://t.co/FGTfL5uRR7".

Later that day, he referenced an exchange involving Dr. Eithan Haim and the AMA's president: "Listen to Dr. @EithanHaim in exchange with the President of the American Medical Association. The stale talking points just don't work on a surgeon who happens to also be surgical in pointing to what is true. https://t.co/xe343xftMd".

On August 27, 2025, Paquette continued his criticism by stating: "Top medical officials rely on trans activist talking points. Their feet need to be held to the fire concerning evidence based medicine. The American Medical Association must be held accountable as they promote the shackling of healthy children to lifelong pharmaceuticals. https://t.co/HSEn2cFU3f".

The American Medical Association is one of several major U.S. medical organizations that have publicly supported gender-affirming care for minors under certain conditions and with parental consent. These positions are based on guidance from groups such as the Endocrine Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommend individualized approaches for youth experiencing gender dysphoria.

Paquette's comments come amid ongoing legislative debates in several states regarding restrictions or bans on gender-affirming care for minors. Proponents of such legislation argue it protects children from irreversible decisions, while opponents contend it interferes with evidence-based medical practices and can harm transgender youth by limiting access to appropriate healthcare.