Oregon Dept of Consumer and Business Services rules against transgender discrimination

The Oregon Insurance Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services issued a bulletin in December of 2012 that added transgeder people to those who can no longer be discriminated against by insurance companies.

The state of Oregon passed legislation in 2007 that prohibits the discrimination of the entire LGBT spectrum, but his new measure makes it against the law for insurance companies to deny transgender people necessary medical and health care coverage.

According to a report filed by ThinkProgress, the bulletin, available for download here, lists the following as actions that could be designated as discriminatory with respect to gender identity:

  • Denying, cancelling, limiting, or refusing to renew an insurance policy.
  • Requiring different rates or premiums.
  • Classifying “gender identity disorder” or “gender dysphoria” (GI/GD) as a disqualifying pre-existing condition.
  • Denying coverage for a procedure that is provided for the treatment of other conditions of illness (such as hormone therapy, mastectomy, or vocal training).
  • Categorically denying coverage of GI/GD.
  • Denying mental health coverage for GI/GD-related issue in adults.
  • Denying sex-specific care (such as pap smears and prostate exams).

According to the story, the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, taken in 2010 study, states that,

  • 19 percent of trans people reported being refused medical care
  • 28 percent postponed medical care due to discrimination
  • 48 percent reported that they simply could not afford treatment.

The survey focuses on the discrimination of gender non-conforming people in schools, workplaces and commercial entities, as well as in the health care and insurance industries.

The ruling by the Insurance Division is meant to allow the transgender community the same access to health care as everyone else, and could prove to be the catalyst for other states to follow suit.

Al Stefanelli

Al serves on the Board of Directors for The Clergy Project, and is the former Georgia State Director for American Atheists, Inc. He is a retired journalist and the author of "Free Thoughts - A Collection Of Essays By An American Atheist" and "A Voice Of Reason In An Unreasonable World - The Rise Of Atheism On Planet Earth." Al began writing in 1985, starting with the New York Times. In 1993 he joined a McClatchy newspaper, writing a weekly column for ten years. His writing continues to be widely distributed on the Internet and in print. He also produced and hosted a weekly syndicated radio broadcast for three years and was the founder and President of the former United Atheist Front, Inc., which functioned as a civil rights organization. Al is a former Southern Baptist Pastor, having served two churches and as pulpit supply for three counties. Currently, he writes for The God Discussion, hosts his own blog on WordPress, submits content to a variety of publications, and co-hosts "American Heathen Radio" and "Reap Sow Radio." Al lives in Peachtree City, GA., a suburb of Atlanta.

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