Topic: Doctors may soon be legally able to refuse to treat trans people

[Jessica]

Doctors May Soon Be Legally Able to Refuse to Treat Trans People

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qv7zax/doctors-may-soon-be-legally-able-to-refuse-to-treat-trans-people?utm_source=vicefbus&fbclid=IwAR2tqBTsx6XQLCg4eZ2tCd5pDUfDw54l-Gh2sP-peGqOmYpqy7_mCURcc5Q

Identity
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by Diana Tourjée
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May 24 2019, 1:54pm

[Hiii]

Firstly...
Doctor's shouldn't refuse treatment to certain groups of people.

But can they refuse to perform certain treatments? (Presumably due to religious reasons)
E.g. abortions or GRS
Nb: probably irrelevant for the average Dr...

[MikaelaA]

With decades of court precedence in favor of transgender people, I'm sure there will be a federal judge somewhere along the way that puts an injunction on this ruling and will be tied up in courts for a while.

[Zumbagirl]

Quote from: LexiLex on October 07, 2019, 12:40:23 pm

    With decades of court precedence in favor of transgender people, I'm sure there will be a federal judge somewhere along the way that puts an injunction on this ruling and will be tied up in courts for a while.


I actually support this but not for the reasons you think. I don't believe anyone should be forced to do anything for another person and that includes medicine. Let's be honest what are we talking about a handful of doctors in the US and suddenly it's a constitutional crisis? I doubt it. Any government that is powerful to force a doctor to perform srs surgery on someone is also powerful enough to make a trans person do things they don't want to do. It cuts both ways.

[Sophiaprincess2019]

Doctors have a lot of choices. They can choose to violate laws, write bad prescriptions, engage in medical malpractice and a host of other ill-advised activities but why would they? My Physicians support my decision to live an authentic life with pride and intelligent decision making.

So I guess what I'm really saying in short: Just because they (Doctors) can (refuse) doesn't mean they will.

Sophia

[AnneK]

I actually support this but not for the reasons you think. I don't believe anyone should be forced to do anything for another person and that includes medicine. Let's be honest what are we talking about a handful of doctors in the US and suddenly it's a constitutional crisis? I doubt it. Any government that is powerful to force a doctor to perform srs surgery on someone is also powerful enough to make a trans person do things they don't want to do. It cuts both ways.

In Ontario, where I live, if a doctor doesn't want to do something for religious or moral grounds, they are required by law to refer to another doctor who will.  There was a lot of push back on that from those who didn't want to do that service.  They not only didn't want to do it, they didn't want any other doctor to do it.  In short, they wanted to force their beliefs on their patients, who may not share those beliefs.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-appeal-court-doctors-referrals-objections-1.5136455

[Julielynn]

Personally, if I went to a doctor, I think I'd rather have him/her be a willing doctor than an unwilling one who might do less than desirable even if sufficient work just due to their position.   It's like forcing a cook to make you the best meal you can get when he doesn't like you.   Probably not going to get your food poisoned, but it sure won't be the best work either.  And with medical, I'd rather know if they had a problem before I let them mess with my health.       

[Laurie K]

can I say how happy I am to live in Canada .... for the most part, we try to embrace those who are in need ... health care in Canada is universal and for all

[Bittydrew]

Glad I changed my doctor to a transgender friendly one she's amazing and very helpful

[AnneK]

Glad I changed my doctor to a transgender friendly one she's amazing and very helpful

Mine seems to be OK too.  I've been going to her for years and she referred me to an endocrinologist last year.

[Stevi]

You might not have a choice in an emergency room.

[Ricki]

I agree with what Stevi said. To expand on it a bit:

If you are in an emergency room, do you want the one person who has the skill and capability to save your life to say, "Nope! I don't agree with your "lifestyle".", let you bleed out and they get away with allowing you to die?

I guess it will be the Hypocrite Oath instead of the Hippocratic Oath.

[Bittydrew]

Yes that would be bad for everyone here kind of sad the world has this view....

[Julielynn]

I agree if it applies to Emergency room care and it seems this does apply to that.  So can't agree with that one obviously.  Luckily, there's very few ER doctors who would actually do that in front of their staff.  It's asking to get canned.

[Lady Sarah]

If a doctor hates what you are badly enough to refuse to treat you, would you want him or her to treat you? Finding trans friendly doctors may be difficult, but when you find one, try to keep that one.

As far as ER doctors, that is where it gets crazy scary

[Bittydrew]

Then I wonder if a trans doctor refuses to treat a cisgender person then?

[Jennifer300]

A person who is forced by law to do something they dislike, probably will not do good work.  I want to know my doctor wants to help me live a healthy life and supports me.  I lucked out and found a LGBTQ friendly doctor, and he gave me a web site where you can look up local LGBTQ doctors in your area.  He said these doctors have to make an effort to get on this list, so they should be above and beyond pro LGBTQ. 


https://www.outcarehealth.org/

[Stevi]

I agree if it applies to Emergency room care and it seems this does apply to that.  So can't agree with that one obviously.  Luckily, there's very few ER doctors who would actually do that in front of their staff.  It's asking to get canned.

The point is that they are protected from being canned, or otherwise liable, in the new policy if they have a religious objection.  And it only takes one, the one I might need in the moment, when seconds can count, to make a world of difference in my life or death.  From what I read of the regulations, HR is not even permitted to inquire if or what conscientious objections an employee or prospective hire might have.  They need not disclose until a specific situation actually arises.  Something about a right to their privacy.

Stevi

[Stevi]

If you have option, of course you would select a physician who is enthusiastic about caring for you.  But some among us live in one horse towns that have few options.  You should not have to vet every provider you may find need to hold your life in their hands.  Particularly specialists with whom you will only have a temporary relationship.

Health care should not be such a problem for ANYONE.  Health care providers who want to pick and chose whom they will care for should find a different vocation.  All health care providers should give each and every patient their best or take down their shingle.  If they fail in anyway, especially willfully or with negligence, they need to be held accountable.

I am lucky.  I have passed 65 and have reasonably good heath care.  It was not always so and I won the lottery with good health.  But I do not want to rest on my laurels because I am OK and managed (hit the jackpot) to get what I needed when I needed it.  I need to speak up, loudly for those who are not nearly as lucky as I.

Stevi

[F_P_M]

and so it begins. See it starts with lgbt people, then they'll stop treating ethnic minorities. You already see this in the US, the dehumanisation of certain groups. Transgender people, "illegals", both referred to in terms designed to make us seem subhuman, lesser, so that it's okay to treat as like <not allowed>.

Honestly? I sort of feel like if you have a religious or moral objection to performing certain procedures, maybe you shouldn't be in that area of medicine you know?
If your beliefs interfere with your ability to do your job, you need a new job.