Transitioning Health Care

During these harsh economic times, one major issue health care. Transgender health care is always transitioning, and for those in the community, it is not easy to find a sufficient physician. Sure, there are GLBT friendly clinics and such, but that doesn’t necessarily mean doctors know how to handle the complicated health matters that arise during one’s transition.

Less than a month ago, the National Coalition for LGBT Health hosted its National LGBT Health Awareness week and released Health Care Rights and Transgender People, a guide stating the rights transgender people have when it comes to health, as well as the protection they deserve. Although many Americans would benefit from the Affordable Care Act, members of the transgender community could definitely gain immense benefits if it were to pass.

One of the struggles transgender people go through when it comes to seeking health care is humane treatment. Many in society have yet to be educated on what it means to be transgender, but that is not an excuse for health care providers to be ignorant of the term nor the community. Although health care procedures for the trans community can be complicated, there is no reason why health care providers should discriminate, refuse treatment, and refuse health insurance that should cover all issues like it would for any person who pays for health insurance. There’s no need for injustice.

Hormone therapy, genital reassignment surgery, and removal of sex organs are procedures that people who are not transgender sometimes have to go through. Physicians and clinics know how to handle these processes. What difference does it make if a transgender person makes the decision to fully transition, using some of these procedures? Hospitals and clinics need to take safe zone training and treat their transgender patients the way they should be treated; like human beings.