An Anchorage doctor who provides services at the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, a publicly funded clinic, has written to the Alaska Legislature opposing the Alaska State Medical Board’s request that legislation be passed that protects children from so-called gender affirmation treatments.
Such treatments usually start with boosting the sex-hormones of children or prescribing them hormone blockers that prevent normal puberty. Later, surgery is performed. It is in essence plastic surgery on children’s sexual reproductive organs to make them appear to be the opposite sex.
Dr. Rachel Samuelson told the Legislature that she practices this type of treatment and that it’s a positive thing for the people for whom she has cared.
The Alaska State Medical Board disagrees, and says this gender manipulation of children is bad medicine. The medical board unanimously adopted a statement urging the Alaska Legislature to outlaw chemical castration and surgical gender transition treatments for minors.
Samuelson, who works at a taxpayer-funded clinic, would not be able to perform this kind of chemistry and surgical experimentation on children, if the Legislature acts on the advice of the medical board.
Here is Samuelson’s letter to the Alaska Legislature, printed here for the benefit of parents and community members:
Dear Members of the Alaska State Legislature,
I’m Dr. Rachel Samuelson, a family medicine physician and life-long Alaskan. As a full-spectrum family medicine physician, I take care of all Alaskans, from infants to centenarians, from refugees to CEOs. I manage diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, influenza, contraception, well child checks, and so much more. Part of my job is providing gender affirming care to adults, which I have been doing since 2018. Though I do not have the training to provide gender affirming care to minors, I understand the importance of this care. I was really surprised and dismayed by the governor- appointed Alaska State Medical Board’s statement against hormonal and surgical care for minors. The board does not represent the general medical community, as they are appointed and not elected by their peers. They also have no experience whatsoever with gender affirming care. It seems to be a political move that is not rooted in science. There have been over 21 peer-reviewed studies on transgender youth, and all the following medical associations support access to transgender medical care as medically necessary and life-saving: The American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. We know that without appropriate and individualized evidence-based medical care (along with psychological care) for minors with gender dysphoria, people have increased rates of depression and anxiety, increased suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, and decreased self-esteem and life functioning.
In my young adult patients with gender dysphoria, I can so clearly see their lives and mental health improve with hormonal therapy. It is truly gratifying work.
Additionally, as you know, Alaskans have a constitutionally protected right to privacy. We do not allow the government into our clinical exam rooms. Medical decisions need to be between the medical provider and the patient (and/or guardian if applicable). What other medical issues might the government decide they want to get involved with if we allow them into the exam room on this specific one?
I encourage you to dismiss this politically motivated statement by the Alaska State Medical Board and continue working on the other important issues making their way through the chambers of the House and Senate.“
The Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center is primarily funded through federal grants, patient fees, and private grants. As a Federally Qualified Health Center clinic, ANHC receives funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration, which provides grants to support healthcare services to those “underserved” residents, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes operational funding and sliding fee scales.
ANHC generates revenue through patient services, such as medical, dental, and behavioral health, mostly through Medicaid and Medicare.
On Jan. 28, President Donald Trump signed an executive orderer banning child sexual mutilation. Trump’s EO states that “it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.”
The ANHC clinic is funded by the federal government and could be at risk of losing its funding due to the work being done there to “transition.” But the executive order has been challenged in court by the attorney general of Washington State, and thus it’s unknown how this will impact clinics like the one where Samuelson practices.
The reality is these surgeries do nothing to improve mental health. Countless studies are proving it. And most certainly taxpayers should not be funding experimental drugs and surgeries. There are millions of Americans suffering from many conditions our broken healthcare system won’t pay for. TMJ is just one of them. What about vision and dental care for adults? The ACA does not mandate those conditions. There are many others. Does it make sense for Americans to pay for a surgery that is experimental and fraught with mental health problems?
The Medical Institution has proven itself to be greedy, corrupt, ignorant, and perhaps even worse through their handling of Covid and now the epidemic of Transgender BS for CHILDREN. Even if you believe this crap, we have to wait to be adults to many things in this Country. Transitioning children is like allowing them to drive, vote, drink, military enlistment and many more. Restriction of this crap for minors, whose whimsical brains change sometimes by the minute, will result in horrible consequences for them.
LOL:
“Additionally, as you know, Alaskans have a constitutionally protected right to privacy. We do not allow the government into our clinical exam rooms. Medical decisions need to be between the medical provider and the patient (and/or guardian if applicable). What other medical issues might the government decide they want to get involved with if we allow them into the exam room on this specific one?”
Where has she been the last five years?
I have to comment twice on this one. It is so disturbing. the doctor’s hubris indicates her mental health failings. There are real health problems Americans are suffering now the system won’t pay for. Who is she to deny these individuals the care they need for what we currently know now is experimental? I will tell you. Simply greed, and a false sense of moral superiority. Who is she to demand experimental care when we know there are real health problems in America with no care at all? There is a sickness in the air. And to demand the person suffering debilitating migraines from TMJ pay for this crap!
Since the Anchorage Neiborhood Health clinic is a HRSA clinic, they recieve substantial federal funding and this doctor’s position is clearlyAgainst President Trumps Executive orders…This needs to be referred back to the administration for action. this is also an opportunity to push back at the disingenuous democratic narrative that our republicans want to cut medicare/medicaid funding.WE DO want to eliminate any form of funding for elective treatments for gender reaassignment, but that was never the reason for medicare/medicaid funding/ programs. if Dr.Samuelson wants to advocate her free speech, then she should start her own private practice instead of being a parasite off of tax payer dollars.If Dr. Samuelson insists on using Her position in a Federally funded clinicTo lobby against the president’s executive orders, she should be immediately terminated
The ANCH needs to RE-consider what is more important..Losing their funding for continuing in this type of “ill medical counseling” or continue in helping those who use this place, for many other medical situations. Many Veterans use this place due to those that are not qualified for dental care at the VA and other medical needs. There are Senior citizens HAVING to use this place, due to many doctors refusing to accept Medicare payments. This is the ONLY place for medical care when people can’t find affordable care elsewhere.
To adhere to this WOKE “idiot-ology” (And I DID NOT misspell my word, “Idiot-ology”)
Remember when certain doctors wrote and signed a letter advocating yanking the medical licenses of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who dared question the Alaska State Medical Board’s covid recommendations? Including taking risky vaccines that have now been proven to provide health risks? I do. Selective outrage?
Where was this sentiment about privacy between a medical provider and the patient during COVID? Our medical board was threatening providers who prescribed an FDA approved medication, safely used for years, because of politics and their vaccine religion. You wanted my vaccine status to keep my job, go into a restaurant, gather in public, etc.
Not too long ago, people were outraged at the practice of “gender mutilation” where young girls from certain backgrounds and religions were undergoing clitoris removal. Giving hormones to a young child that will prevent them from normal sexual function, desire and fertility is great care? What are long term consequences? Disease, heart issues, cancer? Depression, anxiety?
Might a suggestion be offered to the good Doctor. “Move to a State that is favorable to your desired practice.”.
I would encourage the legislature to return to normalcy where boys are boys and girls are girls as the good Lord provided at conception.
Cheers,
Johnson-Ketchikan
This Doctor is a nutball Leftist and should have her license stripped away FOR DOING HARM TO CHILDREN!
That does not further anything but MORE mental issues. Close the clinic for Endangering Children! Shame on ANY self proclaimed doctor committing crimes against the ones meant to be protected. Our Children!
The biggest danger to this nation is self righteous, neurotic, liberal white women.
That’s a bingo!
This doctor clearly does not understand the words she is using. She states that the Alaska State Medical Board’s agenda is political and not rooted in science. She also states that the Board’s members have no experience in gender-affirming care. Additionally, she calls on our ‘right to privacy’.
A) the scientific process has proven that every cell contains gender-defining components, so-unless you can operate on every cell-gender/sex is fixed.
B) Obviously, the Board members have no experience in gender-affirming care. They are educated in medical matters and make decisions as to best practice, which has been defined by results of the scientific process.
C) It is ridiculous to use the ‘right to privacy’ in this context. If we could apply that to all areas, we could do anything we want without consequences.
She has a weak argument. File it in the circular file.
I’m sure she vigorously supports abortion, euthanasia, and Covid shots.
And men in girls restrooms and bathrooms.
Men in girls sports – all things Trans.
Sick.
Translation; don’t interfere with my business model of mutilation of children for profit
Government does not belong between anyone and their doctor
So said Mengele (Nazi doctor).
Time for another booster shot – for the “children”, right?
Ah, so government has no business protecting minors from predatory mutilators. Same argument about abortion, correct? Nobody has any business stopping babies from being murdered because of…. privacy. Got it. Remind me to take you off my Christmas Card list, Frankie.
How is it a provider who states: “though I do not have the training to provider gender affirming care to minors” can legally he providing gender affirming care to minors in a federally funded clinic? Is there not specialized training for providers engaging in gender affirming care? If not, shouldn’t there be? I find it very alarming any primary care provider can just choose to practice this without additional training.
Carla, read her letter again. She does NOT provide gender affirming care to minors. Only to adults.
SA, she specifically mentions with great happiness seeing minors on “gender affirming” medication. So she is providing care to them one way or another even if she is not actually the one prescribing the drugs or mutilation surgery.
Yes, folks, I have to tell you that the science of psychiatry extends itself across a full spectrum of patients, including fellow practitioners in the medical field. Gender affirming care falls in the politically driven arena, not specifically a medical term of art that requires health care. It requires psychiatric care. Medical doctors who are weighing in and attempting to diagnose and treat children are messing with Mother Nature in the strangest way. They need to come and talk with me. Gender affirming care is malaligned with the practice of medicine. Not only are the children being abused and set-up for future physical complications, but now the accomplice health care professionals themselves need therapy. Psychiatric medicine was designed to provide mental therapy to these people and rid them of their illnesses.
Doc,
The illness doesn’t leave until the host dies. Sadly, mental therapy to these insane Democrats is a fleeting task. That’s why there are still many aged-out hippie degenerates still looking for handouts.
Geez, an entire new chapter could be written into psychiatric disorders. Edipus complex for trannies only. Or, sexual disorders which arise from gender affirmation in childhood. Sexual assault by health care providers. Freud should have stayed around for a few more decades. Lots going on.
This woman is a ghoul. These are the same folks who claim a right to privacy while slaughtering the unborn. Why should they have the slightest qualm about mutilating the children that manage to not be aborted? If she has proof that her definition of “care” is effective and safe, then let her produce it. Saying she does is not the same as proving she does. I doubt she can find a single study that shows that mutilating people improves their mental health outcomes, since the overwhelming data shows that those who had that surgery kill themselves at an astronomically higher rate than the general public. She wants to be the great white savior, but instead she is just a modern day Mengele.
This is cult like behavior.
This doctor is advocating the genital mutilation of minor children.
You can’t get a tattoo in Alaska until you are 18.
Evil.
How is this woman not violating her Hippocratic Oath with her practice and this letter?
The State Medical Board needs to suspend her license.
Whatever happened to “first, do no harm”? Strip her of her medical license.
Hopefully DOGE steps in and takes the scalpel to this nonsense. Doctors and Surgeons are getting rich off these publicly funded medical procedures leaving behind a trail of now mentally ill, mutilated children. Could you imagine enrichening yourself by mutilating children, so sick.
These treatments are irreversible.
This doc seems to be unaware of the research which shows higher rates of suicide after sex change “therapy.” Gender dysphoria is a mental illness, and in my opinion, it is medical malpractice to attempt to treat mental illness with surgery. Considering the far-left leaning tendencies of the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, it is rather hypocritical to cite their support for her cause.
Frank, do you think doctors should be required to get a government license to practice medicine?
How about unlicensed witch doctors? Should the government belong between that kind of doctor and their patients?
How about licensed doctors that prescribe opioids like candy? Does the government/society have any business getting between a drug addict and their drug supplier?
As much as I hate government licensing regulations, there is a place for it due to unscrupulous actors!
This women belongs in a mental institution along with any patient seeking gender affirming care.
I have seen no less than 6 doctors at ANHC over the last ten plus years. My last doctor, who was awesome, left over being forced to deal with these type patients. Despite that physician’s personal beliefs, she was threatened, ostracized and belittled at staff meetings.
So I lost care from one of the best doctors that I have had in 60 years, because she did not want to be forced to comprise her belief system. Sadly, this place is funded by good folks like me and my paying health care while they provide far left treatments to all types of patients.
They receive a lot of MOA tax dollars too!!! Lets not mention the many millions of Covid relief funds given to this menace to youth health.
These same minor patients cannot vote, get a tattoo, buy alcohol or smokes…..but they can seriously alter there God given gender with surgeries. Insanity defined !!!
I suspect that, in the long run, this woman will regret writing that letter.
I wonder if she/he has had this procedure?
This article is wildly misleading and factually incorrect on several points. To set the record straight: ANHC does not, and has never, provided gender-affirming care to minors. Full stop. Dr. Samuelson’s letter clearly states she provides gender-affirming care only to adults, and she does so following established medical guidelines and best practices.
ANHC is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) — which means they are subject to strict oversight, compliance reviews, and federal regulations. Everything they do is by the book, including following all federal and state laws, as well as executive orders. BECAUSE OF THIS, ANHC IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WOULD WANT YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO GO TOWARD.
Dr. Samuelson opposes the Alaska State Medical Board’s stance because it is politically motivated, not evidence-based. The board members have no experience in gender-affirming care, and their statement contradicts guidance from every major U.S. medical association. She also raises concern about government intrusion into private medical decisions.
This article’s use of inflammatory and dehumanizing language is not just irresponsible — it’s dangerous. We need journalism that informs, not fear-mongering that misleads.
Alex – the letter was in no way political. More than 60 studies have been issued debunking the claim that puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and mutilation surgery are beneficial for young people with gender dysphoria. When countries all over the world, that are progressive in their politics typically and have much greater experience and history with these medical malpractices than the United States, are halting these procedures…we should pay attention. They most certainly didn’t close down the Tavistock Clinic in London, the largest gender clinic in the U.K., because of politics. It is pure insanity that people like Dr. Samuelson are doubling down on what is obviously hurting people. Telling a young girl who thinks she is a boy to get a double mastectomy is akin to telling an anorexic, skinny girl to get liposuction because she “feels” fat. It is fraudulent. Full Stop.
Jim — I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. It’s clear this is something you care deeply about, and in that, I think we actually share common ground. We both want what’s best for kids, and we want medical decisions to be made carefully, not carelessly.
That’s exactly why I support doctors like Dr. Samuelson. There’s a lot of misinformation floating around, but in the U.S., gender-affirming care for minors does not involve rushing young people into irreversible treatments. Most of the time, it starts with therapy, family support, and—if appropriate—puberty blockers, which are reversible and used under close medical supervision. Surgeries for minors are extremely rare. In fact, a 2023 study in JAMA Pediatrics found that fewer than 0.04% of youth aged 13–17 received any form of gender-affirming surgery between 2016 and 2019.
This kind of care isn’t about pushing anyone into anything. It’s about giving kids who are struggling time, space, and professional support—working with families, not around them.
If you read Dr. Samuelson’s letter directly—rather than relying on Must Read Alaska’s interpretation—it’s clear she’s speaking as a physician, not a politician. She opposes legislation that strips medical decisions from patients and providers because she believes individualized care is essential. That principle applies across the board, whether it’s gender-affirming care, diabetes management, or heart disease. Her stance isn’t political; it’s rooted in her clinical training and commitment to patient care. Her job is to ensure patients feel safe, supported, and treated with dignity.
There’s always room for honest, thoughtful conversation about how to make care safer and more effective. But when we start calling doctors “frauds” or their work “insanity,” we shut that door. I’d rather keep it open and stay focused on facts, compassion, and common values. Appreciate the back and forth.
Alex, thank you for providing facts. Additionally, the article failed to note the current status of Trump’s EO.
“On March 4, 2025, in response to a lawsuit by several civil rights organizations and individuals against the federal government’s policy directives on gender-affirming care, a federal court issued a partial block of Executive Order 14187 titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” and Executive Order 14168 titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” (the EOs).[1] Among other things, the EOs direct the federal government to withhold funding and support to healthcare institutions, providers, and research organizations that deliver gender-affirming medical care. The nationwide preliminary injunction by the district court in Maryland follows a more limited injunction enjoining the federal government from withholding funds to those entities and professionals within Washington, Minnesota, Colorado, and Oregon, as a result of litigation initiated by those states’ attorneys general.[2]” https://www.winston.com/en/insights-news/current-status-of-white-house-executive-order-on-gender-affirming-care
Thanks for sharing that legal update—context like this is important and often missing from public conversations. It also raises a broader question I think is worth considering: did Must Read Alaska reach out to ANHC for comment or clarification before publishing this piece?
ANHC provides comprehensive care to thousands of Alaskans every year—many of whom might not otherwise have access to affordable healthcare. At the very least, I would hope that any publication discussing its work would take the time to confirm facts directly with the organization. These are complex issues, and responsible journalism should reflect that complexity by including multiple perspectives—especially when it involves people’s health and livelihoods.
We may not all agree on the policy side, but I think we can agree that fair and accurate reporting matters—especially when so many people rely on providers like ANHC.
There is no such thing as gender in adults or children. Gender is a language construct. It does not apply to people, to animals, or any living thing. Gender-affirming care is a no sequitur. To claim that there is any medical benefit to cutting of healthy sex organs is a lie, and certainly not scientific. Sex, however, is the product of DNA. It is immutable, and we are born with it, whether we acknowledge it or not. There have always been cross-dressers, and those who have mental issues that prevent them from believing they are perfect, just as they were born. Those folks need psychiatric help to find their way to happiness in the bodies they are given. Anything else is a load of garbage, and serves to victimize these unfortunates twice.
Dr. Samuelson doesn’t provide gender affirming care/surgeries to minors. The problem is that she is defending that practice.
There is a very large, much larger than before, cohort or Americans who don’t trust “medical organizations”, which has been exacerbated by the extreme coercion that they demonstrated with COVID. To many Americans, it seems like they can kind of be bought off.
It’s also very odd that Dr. Samuelson describes her work as “truly gratifying”. Kind of weird. Why is affirming someones delusion of who they are physically to the point they must take lifelong cross sex hormones so gratifying to her?
Why is it that so many people identify as trans gender? Do you even remember how confused you were as a child/teenager? I had many rough/ confusing/ angering times as a child and teenager. Looking back it was a normal part of growing into who you are. Now if someone told me as an impressionable child who trusted everyone that maybe my problem is that I am in fact supposed to be a girl, and that identifying as a girl could solve some of my normal/typical growing up problems. I would have been very open to it. What do i know. If it will solve my emotional/physical problems great as a child growing up, then great!
Its called a social contagion. It’s fuel is propaganda and self righteous individuals.
So damned sick of the entire trans and multi-gender fraud. It needs to be stopped and stopping disgustingly disingenuous and/or deranged doctors and therapists, who promote these aberrant behaviors is a place to start.
She said: “It seems to be a political move that is not rooted in science.”
.
Oh the irony.
HER view is political and not rooted in science…..
Yes.
She clearly failed biology or cheated on her MCAT and medical school training. She and all her ilk who propagate manipulating science should be barred from practicing on humans. Revoke her medical license.
thank you, Alex for being the only commentator who actually read and understood Dr. Samuelson‘s letter.
dr. Samuelson is clearly an incredible medical provider. She practices only in those areas with which she is well trained and well-versed with ongoing continuing medical education.
The writers of all of these comments come from hate, and no perception of what is actually being said.
As an aside the present Medical board is having significant issues
Sorry, Dr. John, you claim we all hate. But we are not the ones denying actual science and healthcare, as opposed to mutilation and victimizing the confused. I read carefully what she said, and if you like, I can refute nearly every claim she has made, but this is not the venue for this. You should certainly be ashamed of claiming hate on the part of people who want others to be happy in the body they were given at birth. If you truly believe that mutilating bodies will lead to good outcomes, feel free to post the scientific studies that prove that. If, instead, you find the number of poor victims of this pseudoscience killing themselves at a horrifically elevated rate, then perhaps you will come to see the truth on your own.
Psychological Therapy was a footnote in her letter, it should have been the main treatment and medicine secondary. Most of the kids/adults have had trauma, so find that out first.
These bans negatively affect the medical community at large and set a dangerous precedent. Alaska is having a hard enough time recruiting providers as it is.
Any potential harm to patients is already mitigated via existing professional regulation and law. Medical decisions should be left up to providers, patients, and their parents/guardian.
A family practice doc treats CEOs as patients? I highly doubt that!
First do no Harm ….
She should lose her medical license. The first responsibility of a medical provider is do no harm.