ADVOCATE.COM

At Google, a Transgender "Gold Standard"


By Andrew Harmon  | Posted on Advocate.com November 22, 2011 08:00:00 AM ET

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/11/22/At_Google_a_Transgender_Gold_Standard/





In a move predicted by one advocate to become the gold standard for LGBT health, Google has significantly increased coverage of transgender health care benefits for its U.S. employees, and other companies are soon expected to follow suit.

The updated benefits, announced internally by company officials on Friday and effective immediately, cover transitioning procedures and treatment in accordance with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health's (WPATH) Standards of Care, and include gender reassignment surgical procedures determined to be medically necessary by a doctor.

Google Increases Health Care for Transgender Employees


Submitted by GLAAD on Nov 22, 2011

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/technology/internet/google-increases-health-care-transgender-employees





Google announced Friday that it will significantly increase health coverage for its U.S. transgender employees. The company, with its longstanding history of supporting equality, recognizes the need for broad-based coverage that includes all employees regardless of gender identity or expression.

Unfortunately, not all companies recognize and celebrate the diversity of its employees. According to the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for 2011 (the new index for 2012 will be released in the next coming weeks), only 18% of the major companies reported offered health benefit to transgender employees for surgical procedures. Only 27% offer compensation for medical visits and lab procedures related to hormone therapy. Many corporate organizations continue to fail to recognize the transgender community in terms of medical need.