New York governor says transgender healthcare must be covered

[Chic 20,830]

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is warning insurance companies that they will no longer be allowed to deny gender reassignment surgery or other treatment to change a person’s gender, like hormone therapy, if a doctor has deemed that treatment medically necessary.

In a letter being sent to insurance companies this week, the governor said that because state law requires insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders, people who are found to have a mismatch between their birth s-x and their internal sense of gender are entitled to insurance coverage for treatments related to that condition, called gender dysphoria.

“An issuer of a policy that includes coverage for mental health conditions may not exclude coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of gender dysphoria,†the governor’s letter says.

“That would change everything  I mean that sounds very good,†Mr. Albertorio said excitedly when told of the governor’s order.

Full Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/nyregion/in-new-york-insurance-must-cover-s-x-changes-cuomo-says.html

This is fantastic news! :party:

[jsn 1,669]

Nice 

[calmar 22,766]

Wonderful to see! 

[cometoogg 0]

yassss

[DrewStevens 5,249]

That's awesome. Hopefully more states start doing the same.

[Economy 52,838]

Ummm but if its free many ppl will seek it... And isnt it really expensive???

I mean its not life threatning... I would even consider it almost like cosmetic surgery because ur doing something medical to make u feel better about yourself, not something thats actually threatning your health

I dunno if i support this or not :huh:

[Luiz 4,253]

Ummm but if its free many ppl will seek it... And isnt it really expensive???

I mean its not life threatning... I would even consider it almost like cosmetic surgery because ur doing something medical to make u feel better about yourself, not something thats actually threatning your health

I dunno if i support this or not

could it be threatening to your health if not being able to have the surgery leads to someone committing suicide? now i'm wondering if someone is depressed does insurance cover therapy sessions? did a quick google just now and i guess most of them do cover it.

[Morphine Prince 109,645]

Ummm but if its free many ppl will seek it... And isnt it really expensive???

I mean its not life threatning... I would even consider it almost like cosmetic surgery because ur doing something medical to make u feel better about yourself, not something thats actually threatning your health

I dunno if i support this or not

Only the people who need it will seek it, as in transgender individuals. 

[Chic 20,830]

Ummm but if its free many ppl will seek it... And isnt it really expensive???

I mean its not life threatning... I would even consider it almost like cosmetic surgery because ur doing something medical to make u feel better about yourself, not something thats actually threatning your health

I dunno if i support this or not

Gender dysphoria is recognized as a psychological condition and its treatments (hormone therapy, s-xual reassignment surgery) wouldn't be considered electives because they are necessary solutions to the condition.

It's been proven that treating gender dysphoria with hormones and surgery is highly effective for a very large percentage of the transgender population, and when that's put against the suicide rates of transgenders who did not transition compared to the low rate of those who did receive these treatments, the risk is well worth it. It's speculated that less than 1 in 1000 people are transgender, and when you take into account the amount of people who would be willing to go through treatments like this, who are willing to take the chance of transitioning, then that's quite a tiny demographic of people that this applies to. These lives are worth more than the small amount of money insurance companies would be providing.

That all being said, I'm sure this only applies to SRS (vaginoplasty and such) and not cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation. I'm not sure about surgeries such as trachea shaves and feminization laryngoplasty as these are transgender-oriented but I would assume they are not covered.

I would also assume only individuals who have been diagnosed as having gender dysphoria by a qualified psychologist would be covered by insurance for these particular treatments, so that in itself is a gatekeeper for non-transgenders manipulating the system. Although I don't think it's realistic that someone who isn't transgender would get theirs genitals modified in such a way for a fetish or any other reason by going through the trouble of faking having gender dysphoria just to be covered for a potentially life-threatening surgery just so they can get their kicks or whatever. The probability that it will be almost exclusively the small population of transgender people (and only some of them) getting this done is high enough to justify spending this money. It's worth it.

SRS is typically in the price range of $15,000-$30,000. I'd say an average of about $20,000-$25,000 if we're talking United States professional surgery clinic prices for that procedure.

[Economy 52,838]

could it be threatening to your health if not being able to have the surgery leads to someone committing suicide? now i'm wondering if someone is depressed does insurance cover therapy sessions? did a quick google just now and i guess most of them do cover it.

im still divided

Someone can feel like crap for having a huge nose and acfect self confidence. Yet cosmetic is never payed for

Now this case is worse but much of it is cuz of the way ppl treat trans-xuals that drives them to suicide not the condition itself

I dunno... I guess... I as a tax payer (or in the case of the US, health insurance premium payer) how id feel about covering something this expensive

The whole suicide thing has more to do with depression and ppls stigma which can be helped with cheaper therapies.

Not saying this isnt a major issue. But many things are... Life threatning takes priority. If theres money left over then sure cover this

But i say this is a luxury

Im not trying to be an ass... Im trying to be realistic :shrug:

[Chic 20,830]

im still divided

Someone can feel like crap for having a huge nose and acfect self confidence. Yet cosmetic is never payed for

Now this case is worse but much of it is cuz of the way ppl treat trans-xuals that drives them to suicide not the condition itself

I dunno... I guess... I as a tax payer (or in the case of the US, health insurance premium payer) how id feel about covering something this expensive

The whole suicide thing has more to do with depression and ppls stigma which can be helped with cheaper therapies.

Not saying this isnt a major issue. But many things are... Life threatning takes priority. If theres money left over then sure cover this

But i say this is a luxury

Im not trying to be an ass... Im trying to be realistic

It's not true that transgenders mainly take their lives due to other people. There are TONS of transgenders who aren't aware of the fact that they are transgender (or are and can't do anything about it due to their finances) that they harm or kill themselves due to it. Gender dysphoria can create depression from the unease of being a gender different from the one you identify as. It's been shown that therapy (or family efforts) to help people assimilate people into their biological gender only drives them further into depression with the potential of doing d--gs or attempting/following through with suicide.

Gender dysphoria is a psychological condition that can't be compared to a physically life threatening issue. Compare it to conditions such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, etc. These are treated with medication and can be covered with insurance just as gender dysphoria is treated with hormones. Do you feel that people with other psychological conditions shouldn't be treated because they technically aren't in any severe physical danger or a life threatening situation? Psychological conditions can cause the victim to suffer just as much, if not more than physical conditions and should be treated just as seriously.

The tax dollars that you would be spending on this would be unbelievably minuscule compared to the general population's need for medical assistance.

I'm transgender. Being myself should never be considered a luxury, but it is.

[Economy 52,838]

It's not true that transgenders mainly take their lives due to other people. There are TONS of transgenders who aren't aware of the fact that they are transgender (or are and can't do anything about it due to their finances) that they harm or kill themselves due to it. Gender dysphoria can create depression from the unease of being a gender different from the one you identify as. It's been shown that therapy (or family efforts) to help people assimilate people into their biological gender only drives them further into depression with the potential of doing d--gs or attempting/following through with suicide.

Gender dysphoria is a psychological condition that can't be compared to a physically life threatening issue. Compare it to conditions such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, etc. These are treated with medication and can be covered with insurance just as gender dysphoria is treated with hormones. Do you feel that people with other psychological conditions shouldn't be treated because they technically aren't in any severe physical danger or a life threatening situation? Psychological conditions can cause the victim to suffer just as much, if not more than physical conditions and should be treated just as seriously.

The tax dollars that you would be spending on this would be unbelievably minuscule compared to the general population's need for medical assistance.

I'm transgender. Being myself should never be considered a luxury, but it is.

it would be miniscule compared to general healthcafe costs because theres fewer cases. But its expensive each individual case. if every type of case case that was a "miniscule case" because few ppl had the issue were covered... It would add up to A LOT of money. We couldnt possibly cover every rare case or type of thing. What makes this case more important than others?

As i said, im divided... Im neither agaisnt it or for it...

What im saying is resources are limited and we cant afford everything wed like to.

Most developed Countries already over-tax and STILL run deficits tryin to meet the demands of the population because ppl seem to think money goes on trees

In the case of the US u might try cutting wasteful eccessive spending in military and apply it to things such as this. U still couldnt cover everything that ideally i should do

And some countries dont have any room to cover the badics properly nevermind expensive procedures like this. And im not talking about 3rd world nations

Ppl often hate me because i like to be realistic and point out the difficulties. I hope ur not one if those ppl.

Its just that we dont live in Utopia and everything needs priorities and ppl never want to make sacrafices but want everything and when they dont get it they blame the Government. That attitude from ppl is destroying our society and its extremely frustrating

[RAMROD 116,997]

Sle Cuomo! :applause:

[Chic 20,830]

it would be miniscule compared to general healthcafe costs because theres fewer cases. But its expensive each individual case. if every type of case case that was a "miniscule case" because few ppl had the issue were covered... It would add up to A LOT of money. We couldnt possibly cover every rare case or type of thing. What makes this case more important than others?

As i said, im divided... Im neither agaisnt it or for it...

What im saying is resources are limited and we cant afford everything wed like to.

Most developed Countries already over-tax and STILL run deficits tryin to meet the demands of the population because ppl seem to think money goes on trees

In the case of the US u might try cutting wasteful eccessive spending in military and apply it to things such as this. U still couldnt cover everything that ideally i should do

And some countries dont have any room to cover the badics properly nevermind expensive procedures like this. And im not talking about 3rd world nations

Ppl often hate me because i like to be realistic and point out the difficulties. I hope ur not one if those ppl.

Its just that we dont live in Utopia and everything needs priorities and ppl never want to make sacrafices but want everything and when they dont get it they blame the Government. That attitude from ppl is destroying our society and its extremely frustrating

I don't hate you but I guess things just aren't fair =/ I'll be able to reap the benefits of this despite the fact somebody might need it more. I don't want to trivialize anyone else's pain by comparing it to mine or vice versa so I dunno. I'm personally happy about this but I get how it could bother others.

[Economy 52,838]

I don't hate you but I guess things just aren't fair =/ I'll be able to reap the benefits of this despite the fact somebody might need it more. I don't want to trivialize anyone else's pain by comparing it to mine or vice versa so I dunno. I'm personally happy about this but I get how it could bother others.

of course. When somethig benefits u, u always want it

Here in Canada next year they are going to introduce income splitting which is if u have kids under 18 and are married u can put part of ur income in ur spouses income tax to take advantage of a lower tax bracket

Its dumb and highly criticised cause only an estimated 14% of Canadians will benefit from it. If u dont have kids under 18 u dont qualify, if u have kids but arent married u dont qualify, and even if ur married and have kids, u wont benefit much unless one spouse makes a lot more money than the other

But my dad makes way more money than my mom and i have brothers under 18 so were gonna benefit from it. So i like it even tho i know its a dumb tax cut that for most ppl wont do anything

In ur case theres nothing wrong with supporting it cuz it will support u. But for tax payers or insurance premium payers, their their view, we cant cover everything, so what has priority?

Ppls views will vary and be biased depending ontheir circumstances, thats how it works :shrug: