Transgender Discrimination in Healthcare
- seth ngo
- Nov 28, 2020
- 3 min read
The LGBT+ community is one of the heavily mistreated groups among the most discriminated minority groups. . Among the LGBT community, transgender individuals face heavy backlash for simply living and wanting to be happier with themselves. In 2020 alone, it has become increasingly more difficult for transgender people to merely exist in the world, with the surrounding media, environment, and toxicity people have shown towards them.
The start of Trump’s 2016 election into office has been bad news for the LGBT+ community in general, and as we have noted, increased trouble for trans people. On the week of June 19th, 2020, the Supreme Court visited the question regarding discrimination on the workplace: should people of the LGBT+ community be allowed to be rejected, fired, or treated unfairly all because of their preference and/or identity?
Fortunately, the Supreme Court ruled it to be unconstitutional and claimed LGBT+ people are protected against employment discrimination.
As much as this was a win for the LGBT community, another plausible victory fell short — healthcare protection for transgender individuals. The Trump Administration finalized a rewritten version of the Affordable Care Act, which forbids discrimination based on regards of color, race, national origin, sex, age, and/or disability, and as seen in 2016, was written to also apply to gender identity. This enabled health care providers and insurance companies to receive federal funding in order to supply equal access to healthcare and more to transgender individuals the same that they would to cisgender individuals (people that identify to their sex assigned at birth).
However, the Trump Administration’s rewrite removes this piece and, as a result, transgender individuals can face discrimination in healthcare services specifically catered to them, such as transition surgeries, services, etc. This new rewrite came during the COVID-19 Pandemic, where the globe saw a breakout in the coronavirus, where healthcare access is almost essential. This new rule can have damaging effects on transgender individuals who might need hospitalization due to the virus and/or transitioning services.
Transgender individuals already face enough trouble as it is, struggling in education, at home, in the workplace, and everyday life for simply identifying as who they prefer to be. They are more likely than the general population to face heavy discrimination.
The toxic environment created by people who promise everyone equal access to equality, equity, and quality of life have done a disappointing job, and have essentially ruined the essence of democracy. Not only can this have detrimental effects on transgender individuals heath, but their mental well-being. Not feeling wanted can force people to struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues that need to be addressed with proper care.
Equal healthcare access to all is essential, especially at a time such as this. Transgender people do not deserve the harassment they face everyday, and surely do not deserve the people that we elect to turn against them. Transgender lives matter just as any life does, and it is about time that we start teaching that.
So what can we do to help battle this? Well, many healthcare clinics have done the easy part for us, rejecting this new rule and still allowing transgender individuals to seek help with open arms. However, it is up to us to follow up on that.
For parents, if your child is trying to transition, schedule appointments in equality and equity certified healthcare providers using their preferred name and pronouns. This creates a safer space and let's your child know they are welcome and won’t be mis-gendered. If a child has changed their name, update insurance cards and such needed at those appointments. And if healthcare providers seem hesitant to provide service, remind them that their service has nothing to do with one’s identity. For individuals seeking their own help, know your rights. Know what healthcare providers can or cannot do, so that if they are violating your rights you may address the issue and educate them on it.
There are many things we can all do to help protect the rights of transgender individuals. Whether they’re loved ones, friends etc, there are actions we can all take to make their lives a bit easier and make them feel welcome.
SOURCES:
Comments