Following oral arguments on Wednesday, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti defended the state's gender-affirming care ban as a common-sense medical regulation aimed at protecting minors. Skrmetti emphasized that the ban is in line with the state's responsibility to regulate the medical profession and evaluate the risks and benefits of practices to be regulated.
In a statement, Skrmetti highlighted that the Founders guaranteed states the right to protect children and independently assess medical practices. He dismissed claims that the law discriminates based on sex and reiterated that the policy is within the state's authority and should not be subject to court intervention.
Skrmetti emphasized the importance of prioritizing medical evidence over ideology and stressed the need to uphold the state's right to self-government and protect children. He concluded by stating that allowing ideology to override medical evidence could jeopardize the well-being of minors.
