Here is what transgender Americans have to fear if Obamacare is repealed

[stephaniec]

Here is what transgender Americans have to fear if Obamacare is repealed

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/02/18/here-is-what-transgender-americans-have-to-fear-if-obamacare-is-repealed/

Pink News/By Meka Beresford 18th February 2017, 5:30 PM

"Trump's administration is now in full swing and LGBT activists are gearing up for numerous tough battles ahead.
The Republican Platform passed earlier this year contained some of the most anti-LGBT provisions in decades, attacking same-sex adoption and parenting and opposing a ban on 'gay cure' therapy, while lawmakers have drawn up bills affirming 'religious freedom' exemptions from anti-discrimination laws. "

[Tessa James]

The affordable care act was a limited and compromised effort in the right direction that resulted in millions of people gaining health care insurance for the fist time in their lives with assurances for coverage of reproductive care, preventive care, pre-existing conditions and HRT for us and much more.  Ready to toss the baby out with the bath water?

Of course we can do better and i am one who looks around the world and recognizes that the richest and greatest nation on earth can certainly afford to consider health care a right we should all have.  Improving the existing law could and should include a single payer public option.  Health and the for profit health care industry have yet to demonstrate the improvements experienced by the fearfully maligned socialized health care the rest of the civilized world enjoys.

The article references battle-lines already being drawn at the State and local levels.  This is happening now with our futures at risk.

[Janes Groove]

Here's what worries me (the most):  During the past few years many transgender men and women came out to their medical care providers as transgender and sought and received transgender care knowing that under the ACA exclusion for pre-existing conditions was now against the law.  Now that information is in the insurance company databases.  Repeal of the ACA was a BIG PRIORITY for our President's 2016 campaign.  So where does that leave transgender people who are out and the insurance companies know about us without ACA protections?  Being transgender is a PRETTY BIG PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. It's treatment consisting of ongoing medical visits and drug therapy and surgeries causes real $$$$ pain to insurance companies.  Will we even be able to purchase insurance for love or money?

[Amy1988]

Here's what worries me (the most):  During the past few years many transgender men and women came out to their medical care providers as transgender and sought and received transgender care knowing that under the ACA exclusion for pre-existing conditions was now against the law.  Now that information is in the insurance company databases.  Repeal of the ACA was a BIG PRIORITY for our President's 2016 campaign.  So where does that leave transgender people who are out and the insurance companies know about us without ACA protections?  Being transgender is a PRETTY BIG PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. It's treatment consisting of ongoing medical visits and drug therapy and surgeries causes real $$$$ pain to insurance companies.  Will we even be able to purchase insurance for love or money?

Do insurance companies share medical records with all other insurance companies? 

[Michelle_P]

Do insurance companies share medical records with all other insurance companies?

Heh.  Insurance companies share medically related data, the 'codes' used in insurance claims with each other.

https://www.mib.com/mib_faq.html

So, the actual medical records are not shared, 'merely' the codes.

https://transline.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/.../Coding_for_Transition_Related_Care.pdf

As I've told others on this issue, "Honey, I AM a pre-existing condition."

[Deborah]

The way things are going right now it might not be repealed.  The USA has the most expensive healthcare in the world. Yet, in terms of patient health outcomes we rank dead last among developed nations.  USA is not number one in this case.   http://bit.ly/2lxxAju


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[FTMax]

Vote with your feet. If you are concerned about your continued coverage, pack up and move to a state that requires inclusive coverage. There are several to choose from now and none of them seem to be interested in rolling back those protections.

[Dena]

The way things are going right now it might not be repealed.  The USA has the most expensive healthcare in the world. Yet, in terms of patient health outcomes we rank dead last among developed nations.  USA is not number one in this case.   http://bit.ly/2lxxAju


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

Looks like an apples an orange comparison. The numbers don't include the hidden cost of taxes to support the medical system and while the UK is rated number one, it can take over a year to get your first therapy appointment if you are transgender.

[Deborah]

Yes, for transgender specific care we have an advantage for those that have enough money or who live in a place with transgender coverage in their insurance.   For those without sufficient money they may have to wait longer elsewhere but the services are available to them.

The article though was referring to health outcomes across the board.  Our medical system produces the worst overall health outcomes.  I haven't read into this in detail but I imagine it has to do with availability of healthcare to those with insufficient money to buy it.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves