American Psychiatric Association Calls for Improved Access to Transition Care

[MadelineB]

American Psychiatric Association Calls for Improved Access to Transition Related Care
HRC Blog
August 20, 2012 | Allyson Robinson

http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/american-psychiatric-association-calls-for-improved-access-to-transition-re/



Even though transition-related medical procedures are medically necessary for many transgender and gender variant patients, they are often denied the care they need simply because of who they are. Today the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is calling for the elimination of barriers to access for transgender people.

According to the APA, the relentless discrimination transgender people face in virtually every aspect of life – from the workplace to adoption rights to public accommodations – makes it all the more important to ensure transgender individuals have access to high quality health care. In doing so, the APA joins other leading organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association in pushing back against the harmful rhetoric that can too often drive discrimination.



NEWS RELEASE:
APA Issues Official Positions Supporting Access to Care and the Rights of Transgender and Gender Variant Persons
August 16, 2012 | Release No. 12-36
Staff, The American Psychological Association

http://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Advocacy%20and%20Newsroom/Press%20Releases/2012%20Releases/12-36-APA-Position-Statements-on-Transgender.pdf

Access to Care for Transgender and Gender Variant Individuals

The American Psychiatric Association:

• Recognizes that appropriately evaluated transgender and gender variant individuals can benefit greatly from medical and surgical gender transition treatments.
• Advocates for removal of barriers to care and supports both public and private health insurance coverage for gender transition treatment.
• Opposes categorical exclusions of coverage for such medically necessary treatment when prescribed by a physician.

Discrimination against Transgender and Gender Variant Individuals

The American Psychiatric Association:

• Supports laws that protect the civil rights of transgender and gender variant individuals.
• Urges the repeal of laws and policies that discriminate against transgender and gender variant people.
• Opposes all public and private discrimination against transgender and gender variant individuals in such areas as health care, employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and licensing.
• Declares that no burden of proof of such judgment, capacity, or reliability shall be placed upon these individuals greater than that imposed on any other persons.