Not all transsexuals are created equal in the eyes of the B.C. Ministry of Heal

[Natasha]

Not all transsexuals are created equal in the eyes of the B.C. Ministry of Health

http://www.timescolonist.com/Health/transsexuals+created+equal+eyes+Ministry+Health/1216485/story.html
1/25/09

Not all transsexuals are created equal -- at least not in B.C.

Male-to-female transsexuals -- those born with male bodies who identify as women -- can have genital surgery paid for by the health care system.

But female-to-male transsexuals -- those born with female bodies who identify as men -- have been cut off from Medical Services Plan coverage for nearly 15 years when it comes to construction of a male genitalia.

Alberta covers the complicated process of creating a penis, and Ontario has recently reinstated its coverage. But in B.C., "there is no consideration of that that I'm aware of," Health Minister George Abbott recently told the Times Colonist.

[Linus]

It's interesting that the reasoning is because the surgery is viewed as potentially unreliable, unsuccessful and risky. I think they may be viewing things from dated information. Additionally, they are limiting the surgeries only to those that can provide it in B.C. but don't provide the resources for them to actually do it in B.C. (catch-22 effect).

Sigh.