Transgender Health Protections

Imagine this: You’re new to town and need to find a new primary physician. You don’t know anyone who could refer you to a physician they like and trust, so you go through the arduous process of internet searching and schedule an appointment. However, upon learning that you are transgender, the doctor declines to prescribe you the medication that you need for your chronic health condition. He or she cites that they believe your identity is a choice you made and conflicts with their personal beliefs, when in reality, it is a formative aspect of who you are.

At this point, you may have a couple questions:

1. Can they even do this? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. A couple weeks ago, the current administration rolled back protections for transgender patients that were present in the original Affordable Care Act (ACA). This new rule would allow providers to refuse certain procedures or even overall care for transgender patients. Despite this seeming illegal, it was allowed because the ruling clarified that the original section against “sex discrimination” pertained only to one’s biological sex, and not their sexual identity or sexual orientation.
2. Is discrimination against transgender patients a real problem in healthcare? Absolutely. One of every three transgender patients who saw a physician had at least one negative experience, such as verbal harassment or being denied care, and 70% of transgender individuals faced discrimination in the healthcare field. This is a large problem because transgender patients will try to minimize interactions with the healthcare field, worsening already existing health disparities. Another issue is a lack of provider knowledge; 50% of a survey’s respondents said they’ve had to teach their providers about transgender care, making them feel uncomfortable and receive a substandard level of care.
3. What can we do about this? Learn about your rights and options if you face discrimination from a healthcare professional. Despite this national ruling, many states still have laws against discrimination based on one’s gender identity. However, we’re building a fast-acting solution so you do not have to wait for changes in the political climate. We will connect you to doctors who respect your identity, are knowledgeable about your specific needs, and are experienced in working with the transgender community. Caralyst is working towards eliminating any fears of prejudice or discrimination for the LGBTQ+ community within the healthcare field.