Quote from: Shantel on September 29, 2014, 01:35:42 PM
Good, she seems like a nice gal!

She is.

Quote from: Wynternight on September 29, 2014, 01:38:19 PM
She is.

Present company included of course! Don't want you ladies way up north to feel estranged from those of us in the lower 48.

Quote from: Shantel on September 29, 2014, 01:44:30 PM
Present company included of course! Don't want you ladies way up north to feel estranged from those of us in the lower 48.

So this is why everything went thru so smoothly.  When I was ready for hrt I expected to run into roadblocks of some sort, but not a single problem along the way.  Maybe I should stay current with current events.  To my defense though I do live way up here in NW WA with only a flintsone tv so its not my fault, uh oh the bird says he's tired so gotta go.  Dani

I wasn't aware either regarding it and live somewhere much further south. Then again I don't watch much local or national news for that matter. I thought it was odd that the transsexualism code was being approved when in the past it would be flat denied. If it wasn't for having gone to support group over in the Seattle area and then dealing the social worker through the insurance I wouldn't have known that even SRS is covered through the insurance now because the insurance plan still clearly states things the other way.
Mariah.

Quote from: Newgirl Dani on October 12, 2014, 08:45:02 PM
So this is why everything went thru so smoothly.  When I was ready for hrt I expected to run into roadblocks of some sort, but not a single problem along the way.  Maybe I should stay current with current events.  To my defense though I do live way up here in NW WA with only a flintsone tv so its not my fault, uh oh the bird says he's tired so gotta go.  Dani

As it turns out, that is true along the entire west coast US.  5 states and  DC so far, I think one more state soon.

It only rains all the time on the West-side of the state. Over here in Eastern Washington it rarely rains.

Even dryer down here in the Tri-Cities part of Washington.

Quote from: Natalie on October 12, 2014, 09:53:15 PM
It only rains all the time on the West-side of the state. Over here in Eastern Washington it rarely rains.

I just moved to Seattle.  But I've spent my whole life in Arizona and California, so I'm ready for the rain.  I've had enough sun...we're going to see other people for a while.

And how great is it that the laws are turning favorable just when I'm ready to take advantage of it.  I feel very fortunate. 

I loathe California. I am also sick of the summers, hot weather and enjoy the bitterly cold winters here at WSU.

I moved to near Walla Walla six years ago from Texas and haven't had one ounce of regret.  Wanted to get to an area where there were 4 seasons and a supportive environment.  Now if the Federal Government would catch up with the state of Washington!   

Just a heads up!  I started a new thread topic regarding the removal of the transgender exclusion for Federal employees eligible to enroll in the 2015 Foreign Service Benefit Plan offered by American Foreign Service Protective Association.  Such exciting news for all!!

Is this for all federal employees???

DAMN IT ALL!! Not for all federal employees. The VA isn't covered. THIS SUCKS!!

How the hell can the VA be so happy to hire transgendered employees as stated in the mission but offer exclusionary insurance? THIS IS CRAP!! 

Yea, sorry!  According to the afspa.org website...

Employees from the following agencies will be eligible to choose from this plan:

1. Department of State
2. Department of Defense
3. Agency for International Development
4. Foreign Commercial Service
5. Foreign Agricultural Service
6. Department of Homeland Security
7. Central Intelligence Agency
8. National Security Agency
9. Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
10. Executive Branch civilian employees assigned overseas or to U.S. possessions and territories; and the direct hire domestic employees assigned to support those activities. 

So, not ALL federal employees, but I'm sure more agencies will follow soon enough!

Quote from: Wynternight on October 16, 2014, 12:38:52 AMHow the hell can the VA be so happy to hire transgendered employees as stated in the mission but offer exclusionary insurance? THIS IS CRAP!! 

Because unlike banning discrimination the cisgender population has a tangible interest to exclude transition-related procedures in the insurance (since albeit by not much it would raise everyone's premiums).

Quote from: tgchar21 on October 16, 2014, 09:17:11 AM
Because unlike banning discrimination the cisgender population has a tangible interest to exclude transition-related procedures in the insurance (since albeit by not much it would raise everyone's premiums).

They just got rid of the exclusions for one sector of federal employees so why not the rest?

My understanding is that the Office of Personnel Management issued a letter to all providers which stated that they had to remove or confirm the exclusionary language from the plans.  I've been anxiously waiting for the new plan brochures to verify that that is happening.  OF course I just found the 2015 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan and the language is unchanged from last year.  At least open season is coming up!!!!!  OR, maybe we can find someone willing to file a class action lawsuit against the FEHB providers!!!   

Quote from: SarahJ on October 16, 2014, 11:28:43 PM
My understanding is that the Office of Personnel Management issued a letter to all providers which stated that they had to remove or confirm the exclusionary language from the plans.  I've been anxiously waiting for the new plan brochures to verify that that is happening.  OF course I just found the 2015 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan and the language is unchanged from last year.  At least open season is coming up!!!!!  OR, maybe we can find someone willing to file a class action lawsuit against the FEHB providers!!!   

I'm going to the EEOC person at the VA clinic today and showing them this. I'm going to ask who I need to speak to fix this at the VA. If I need to be the trans-Crusader for the VA then so be it. If this FSBP can cover transition related costs for a large group of federal employees then I see no reason why it can't be done for others.

Quote from: Wynternight on October 17, 2014, 08:18:22 AM
I'm going to the EEOC person at the VA clinic today and showing them this. I'm going to ask who I need to speak to fix this at the VA. If I need to be the trans-Crusader for the VA then so be it. If this FSBP can cover transition related costs for a large group of federal employees then I see no reason why it can't be done for others.

Good luck, keep us updated on this because there are a lot of veterans here who would be interested!

Quote from: Shantel on October 17, 2014, 08:39:31 AM
Good luck, keep us updated on this because there are a lot of veterans here who would be interested!

I definitely will.