Annoying/infuriating news re healthcare reform (USA).....

[aureantes]

Just in via headline-sampler in my Yahell Mail...

Conservatives shop sex ops ban to GOP

The federal government would be banned from funding sex change operations and other services for transgender individuals if social conservative activists get their way.

There’s no sponsor yet for an amendment to the health care overhaul - and it may remain in the

Comments

[buruna_enu]

What? Abortion not a trans-issue

[fall_of_sophia]

Yeah, it's not just a trans issue because it's lumped together by social conservatives. Trans issues and reproductive rights issues are bodily autonomy issues and inexorably linked to social justice.

[buruna_enu]

Ha!

That's what I'm saying. I've often wondered why trans liberation and abortion rights movements do not seem to intersect more than they do, as this is all about the right to use our bodies as we see fit.

But then, I'm not an activist, and do not make such decisions for the movement.

*shrug*

[fall_of_sophia]

because single-issue movements are shit, basically.

[tinamou]

Ugh, I had a feeling that was going to happen. Honestly, I feel like the best we can expect out of the US Congress is for the bill to ignore trans coverage altogether, but include some kind of broad language that plans (that will qualify for tax breaks, or be considered as meeting the federal mandate, or whatever) have to cover 'medically necessary' treatment, and that sometime after that lawsuits and insurance appeals will establish that transition costs are medically necessary expenses.

[buruna_enu]

My, but that would rock.

[snugglebitch]

No it won't, because transition-related expenses will continue to destroy trans people financially (HRT ALONE cost a quarter of my take-home pay with my last job, and that was when I was lucky enough TO HAVE A JOB), mentally, emotionally, and physically. Most trans people will not have the money to pursue those lawsuits to make that change happen. Expecting us to change the system through financial means doesn't, doesn't rock, because as a community we do NOT have the capital to make it happen.

[terry_terrible]

Track This
No it won't, because transition-related expenses will continue to destroy trans people financially (HRT ALONE cost a quarter of my take-home pay with my last job, and that was when I was lucky enough TO HAVE A JOB), mentally, emotionally, and physically. Most trans people will not have the money to pursue those lawsuits to make that change happen. Expecting us to change the system through financial means doesn't, doesn't rock, because as a community we do NOT have the capital to make it happen.

Word on that. Unfortunately I don't think we have the political/financial capital fight this even if we had some political coordination. Democrats will drop us like a hot potato faster than they do with marriage equality (they've already cave on abortion in the HCR bill also). And what little resources we have are going towards ENDA

I have a feeling that over-all we are fucked for the time being :(

[snugglebitch]

... funding illegals...

There is no such thing as an illegal human being.

[montrealais]

¡Ningún ser humano es ilegal! I first encountered that slogan in 1997 and it keeps being true...

MOD WARNING:

[lisaquestions]

Referring to human beings as illegals is racist. Find another way to make your point.

[iphisol]

Wait, the federal government covers bottom surgery and other transition-related expenses? Is that real?

[noble_roman]

In a few states Medicaid will fund bottom surgery, but usually only after a very long appeals process.