User:Smwhat15/sandbox

About me

I am interested in studying the issues surrounding non-binary and transgender individuals. I have been a huge activist within the lgbt+ community for a long time and this class will allow me to further my knowledge and involvement in the community. I'm interested in working on the following pages:

Transgender Rights

Transgender Rights in the US

Transgender Health Care

Transgender individuals have the right to medical privacy. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical providers and insurance companies are prohibited from disclosing any personal medical information including a person’s transgender status. HIPAA also allows transgender individuals to access and receive a copy of their medical records from health care facilities.

It can be difficult for transgender people to find insurance coverage for their medical needs. The ban on Medicare coverage for gender reassignment surgery was repealed by the US Department of Health and Human Services in 2014. Insurance companies, however, still hold the authority to decide whether the procedures are a medical necessity. Thus, insurance companies can decide whether they will provide Medicare coverage for the surgeries.

Under federal tax laws, the Internal Revenue Code, section 213, defines the purpose of “medical care” as “for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body.” Only cosmetic surgeries promoting the physical or mental health of an individual can qualify for medical deductions. Transgender people have used the diagnosis of gender dysphoria to qualify for deductible health care.

The lack of knowledge and education related to transgender health is an obstacle transgender people face. A 2011 study published in JAMA reported that medical students cover up to "only five hours" of LGBT+ related content. A different study done by Lamba Legal in 2010 stated that 89.4% of transgender individuals felt that there aren’t enough medical providers that are “adequately trained” for their needs. This lack of medical training makes it harder for transgender people to find suitable and proper healthcare.