Attorney General Merrick Garland asked to investigate threats against hospitals over gender-affirming care

Three major medical associations have asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate and prosecute people who are threatening violence against children's hospitals and physicians that provide gender-affirming health care.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the Children's Hospital Association wrote to Garland on Monday. Their demands come amid a spate of threats against doctors and institutions that provide medical care for transgender kids, sometimes including hormones or surgery for older teens.

Children's hospitals nationwide have substantially increased security and are working with law enforcement, while some providers now need constant security, the associations said.