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Title: IRS loses, SRS determined medically necessary
Post by: guymade on July 20, 2007, 07:52:19 PM
Post by: guymade on July 20, 2007, 07:52:19 PM
GLAD Wins Tax Deduction for Sex Reassignment Surgery
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Nov. 30, 2004
(Boston) The Internal Revenue Service has concluded that a transsexual woman
represented by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) may deduct expenses
for sex reassignment surgery as a necessary medical expense. The decision
overturned a tax examiner's refusal to allow Rhiannon O'Donnabhain's claimed
deduction because he viewed her sex reassignment surgery as "cosmetic".
As the Appeals Officer determined, however, Ms. O'Donnabhain's surgery was
medically necessary and an integral part of a professionally prescribed course
of treatment for her diagnosed condition. The decision has important
implications for other government programs as well as for private contracts of
insurance.
"This important decision recognizes that sex reassignment can be as medically
necessary for some people as an appendectomy or heart bypass surgery," said
GLAD attorney Karen Loewy, who represented Ms. O'Donnabhain in her appeal. "Any
notion that medical treatment for a transgender person is purely cosmetic is
based on misunderstanding and prejudice, not medical science."
Rhiannon O'Donnabhain underwent sex reassignment surgery in 2001 after having
been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. She and her health care providers
determined that sex reassignment surgery was a medically necessary step to enable
her to live her life as a woman.
"I am greatly relieved by the Appeals Officer's decision," said Ms.
O'Donnabhain. "While the money was important to me, so too was the underlying
principle. I hope this case sends a clear message that transgender people deserve
dignity, respect and equal treatment for our medical care."
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is New England's leading legal
rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual
orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Nov. 30, 2004
(Boston) The Internal Revenue Service has concluded that a transsexual woman
represented by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) may deduct expenses
for sex reassignment surgery as a necessary medical expense. The decision
overturned a tax examiner's refusal to allow Rhiannon O'Donnabhain's claimed
deduction because he viewed her sex reassignment surgery as "cosmetic".
As the Appeals Officer determined, however, Ms. O'Donnabhain's surgery was
medically necessary and an integral part of a professionally prescribed course
of treatment for her diagnosed condition. The decision has important
implications for other government programs as well as for private contracts of
insurance.
"This important decision recognizes that sex reassignment can be as medically
necessary for some people as an appendectomy or heart bypass surgery," said
GLAD attorney Karen Loewy, who represented Ms. O'Donnabhain in her appeal. "Any
notion that medical treatment for a transgender person is purely cosmetic is
based on misunderstanding and prejudice, not medical science."
Rhiannon O'Donnabhain underwent sex reassignment surgery in 2001 after having
been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. She and her health care providers
determined that sex reassignment surgery was a medically necessary step to enable
her to live her life as a woman.
"I am greatly relieved by the Appeals Officer's decision," said Ms.
O'Donnabhain. "While the money was important to me, so too was the underlying
principle. I hope this case sends a clear message that transgender people deserve
dignity, respect and equal treatment for our medical care."
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is New England's leading legal
rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual
orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.
Title: Re: IRS loses, SRS determined medically necessary
Post by: error on July 21, 2007, 12:48:15 AM
Post by: error on July 21, 2007, 12:48:15 AM
I think I just died. Someone revive me, please.
Who abducted the IRS?
Who abducted the IRS?
Title: Re: IRS loses, SRS determined medically necessary
Post by: Kate Thomas on July 21, 2007, 03:37:09 AM
Post by: Kate Thomas on July 21, 2007, 03:37:09 AM
error..
error..
error..
time to wake up, error..
The "Appeals Officer's decision" was not the end of this, its finaly getting to court this month.
zelots like the Family Research Council (http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU07G11), will not let this rest without (for lack of a better word) comment.
check this news thred (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,16199.0.html)
error..
error..
time to wake up, error..
The "Appeals Officer's decision" was not the end of this, its finaly getting to court this month.
zelots like the Family Research Council (http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU07G11), will not let this rest without (for lack of a better word) comment.
check this news thred (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,16199.0.html)
Title: Re: IRS loses, SRS determined medically necessary
Post by: RebeccaFog on July 23, 2007, 08:45:54 AM
Post by: RebeccaFog on July 23, 2007, 08:45:54 AM
please come to boston in the springtime, my darlings. Please come to boston.
I'm not kidding, I need more T friends. Plus you can marry anyone you want. Now, will you come?
Rebis