Concerns over the transparency of federally funded medical studies were raised by a group of Republican senators in a letter addressed to NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli. The issue gained attention following an October report by The New York Times that revealed an unpublished study on puberty-blocking drugs. Researchers allegedly hesitated to release findings over worries they might be used against transition-related care for minors.
The letter carried signatures from Senators Bill Cassidy, Tommy Tuberville, Ted Cruz, James Lankford, Markwayne Mullin, and Mike Lee. It centered on a study led by Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, a specialist in transgender youth care at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
Initiated in 2015, the research aimed to examine the long-term outcomes of medical treatments for transgender children, with a focus on the effects of puberty blockers for those experiencing gender dysphoria.
Republican lawmakers challenge NIH over delays in revealing key findings from transgender care study
Despite nearly a decade of work, the data remains unpublished. Olson-Kennedy explained that puberty blockers showed limited mental health benefits, likely because participants were already in good mental health at the study’s onset. She expressed concern that any findings could be misrepresented by critics opposing gender-affirming care, a contentious and politicized topic in medicine.
Restrictions on transgender care for minors have surged across the United States since 2021, with several states enacting bans. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recently heard arguments about a Tennessee law barring such care, attracting public demonstrations outside the courthouse.
In October, Olson-Kennedy stressed the need for accuracy and clarity in publishing the study to prevent misuse of its findings. However, GOP senators accused her of withholding results that might contradict her views. They referred to the U.K.’s Cass Review, which deemed the mental health benefits of puberty blockers inconclusive and influenced Britain’s decision to limit their use outside clinical trials.
The Cass Review itself has sparked debates among experts, with some critiques, like Yale Law School’s Integrity Project, arguing it misrepresents findings and scientific methods. However, U.S.-based studies have linked puberty blockers to improved mental health outcomes, such as reduced depression and anxiety in transgender youth.
The senators called for transparency by requesting annual progress reports on Olson-Kennedy’s study. All but Cassidy, a Senate Health Committee member, have supported federal legislation against gender-affirming care for minors. Cassidy has led investigations into organizations endorsing such treatments, reflecting his skepticism about their safety.
Major health organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, defend gender-affirming care as essential and lifesaving, opposing state and federal restrictions. However, the senators emphasized their disapproval of using public funds for such interventions, voicing concerns over minors’ ability to consent to life-altering treatments.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., tapped to lead Health and Human Services under President-elect Trump, shares opposition to gender-affirming care for minors. Critics argue this stance could jeopardize future federally funded research into treatments for transgender individuals.
