Healthcare Reform and What it Means to Trans People!

by Emilia Dunham

Reporting on the Philly Trans-Health Conference

Mara Keisling of the National Center for Transgender Equality reported on their national survey of trans discrimination as well as how healthcare reform affects trans people. When it comes to research, researchers may be able to use the data to advance research on trans folks.

Now with policy, policy efforts have shifted with the new White House administration with health care reform. When working with framers of the Affordable Care Act and advancing the passage, trans advocates had the highest priorities in mind that would benefit transgender and LGB people. Though there aren’t many specifically inclusions, many things like trans healthcare were not excluded and it’s up to the states and advocates to make up the difference in its application, but there have been some huge benefits…

Immediate wins for trans people 

• Pre-existing conditions will ending, so now we won’t get denied coverage as often
• In 2014, more individuals will qualify for Medicaid
• In 2014, the general public can access independent healthcare (for purchase)
• Young adults can stay on parents’ plans longer
• New patient protections

Other Wins

• Federal Release of Office of Personnel Management’s amazing Trans policies
• National Health Equity Plan adds trans folks
• And many more…

Finally, I would like to point out that this workshop was the most highly attended that I’ve been to, which is just as packed as a similar workshop at Creating Change 2011 on trans policy/research. In my humble opinion, the interest from these workshops but also from our general community shows that the trans community is very concerned about policy, health and research regarding us. Basically, what I’m saying is that if your programs or your work is thinking about including or focusing on this work, you should! Your trans communities will listen, they’ll benefit and with that you should see success!