What About Trans. Rights?

[Jonie]

The preamble to the Vienna declaration of 1993 states that, "All human rights are universal, indivisible and interrelated. The international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis ... the significance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind". I suppose that if asked the insurance companies would agree that this is a sound philosophy except for the trans. community of course. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ATTITUDE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE ABOUT OUR RIGHTS?

[cindianna_jones]

They think that you have no rights if it means money to them.  The tables would be turned if it meant you giving money TO them.

Sue them.  Put the law of the land on the table for dissection. 

That's what law is all about.

Cindi

[seldom]

Things are changing, slowly so but changing nonetheless.  In California, it is illegal for insurance companies to deny health care coverage to TS patients.  This coverage includes HRT and therapy but doesn't include any surgical procedures pertaining to SRS.  Furthermore, some cities, like San Francisco, do cover SRS for city employees only. 

I know this is not sufficient since most of us aren't city employees, but considering how the health care system (in California) used to work ten years ago, this is a tremendous improvement indeed.  I'm not sure if all the states are following California's example, but it seems that new laws to protect TS individuals are being implemented much more than before.

tink

DC works the same way.  They pretty much have to cover HRT.  Whether they cover SRS though is up in the air (DC law may require it, but it may require a court case, or at least public pressure).

HRT is fully covered for me.  100%  Well save for the cost of hormones ($20 a month).