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Almost 1 in 10 transgender Americans use nonprescribed hormones because they're uninsured or insurance won't cover the cost
(CNN)For the transgender people who seek it, gender-affirming hormone therapy can be lifesaving. But if they're uninsured or their insurance won't cover it, some bypass the health care system entirely to get the care they need.
Lack of insurance and denied claims lead people to seek unprescribed hormones
Insurance is one of several hurdles to health care
It's incredibly dangerous for transgender folks to have to rely on nonprescribed hormones for so many reasons. Firstly, these individuals already experience a higher risk of violence, isolation, radical bias, and a monopoly of other horrendous adversities that others may not. But to intentionally deny an individual access to healthcare, access to mental health professionals, and other pretty standard norms (unless you're rich obviously), because of a decision they chose to make. The inaccessability of drugs for SO many people in SO many situations is a let down by our country.
Francesca
Medicine is so expensive even with insurance. Many cant afford insurance so any procedure has to be paid out of pocket. The insurance system has sure let many people down. Your right that many people are at high risk for violence and bias when it comes to transgender people.
Insurance should cover the cost of transgender hormones. This is something our society needs to wake up about. It's not a bad thing for someone to want to feel comfortable in their own body! I could be wrong and not everyone is the same, but I feel like trans people have always known from the day they are born that their assigned gender didn't feel right. Just like we know ours does feel right. This could be considered a preexisting condition and insurance companies aren't allowed to deny health coverage for preexisting conditions.
@amandamooreiectskin-com I agree that it should be covered. I would also consider it a pre existing condition and if someone who is transgender needs that medication then it should be provided.
So it being 2020, this is just one of the many things that we just need to get with. We are all people, and if someone was born the wrong gender, at no fault of their own, then insurance should cover the medication needed. I feel like people use their insurance to abuse drugs they dont even need. Someone who is transgender is just trying to feel like the person they were always meant to be, and shouldnt be denied that.