AMA Removing Barriers for Transgender Care

Resolution 114 By the American Medical Association reads:

AMA Removing Barriers to Care for Transgender Patients

 Whereas, Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is a serious medical condition recognized as such in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases; and

 Whereas, GID, if left untreated, can result in clinically significant psychological distress, dysfunction, debilitating depression, and, for some patients without access to appropriate medical care and treatment, suicidality and death; and

 Whereas, The medical literature has established the effectiveness and medical necessity of mental health care, hormone therapy, and sex reassignment surgery in the treatment of patients diagnosed with GID; and

 Whereas, Many health insurance plans categorically exclude coverage of mental health, medical, and surgical treatments for GID, even though many of these same treatments, such as psychotherapy, hormone therapy, breast augmentation and removal, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, orchiectomy, and salpingectomy, are covered for other medical conditions; and

 Whereas, The denial of otherwise covered benefits for patients diagnosed with GID represents discrimination based solely on a patient’s gender identity; and

 Whereas, Our AMA opposes discrimination (AMA Policies H-65.983, H-65.992) and the denial of health insurance (H-180.980) on the basis of gender identity; and

 Whereas, Our AMA opposes limitations placed on patient care by third-party payers when such care is based upon sound scientific evidence and sound medical opinion (H-120.988); therefore be it

 RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association support public and private health insurance coverage for treatment of gender identity disorder in adolescents and adults (New HOD Policy); and be it further

 RESOLVED, That our AMA oppose categorical exclusions of coverage for treatment of gender identity disorder in adolescents and adults when prescribed by a physician.  (New HOD Policy)

Received: 04/14/08

Passed: 6/16/08

Excepted from & Actual resolution can be found at: http://www.ama-assn.org/

California Passes Gay Marriage

Quoted from Lambda Legal on May 15, 2008:

http://www.lambdalegal.org/publications/articles/california-marriage-victory.html

The California Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the state may no longer exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage in that state.

Lambda Legal, lead counsel NCLR and the ACLU have been fighting this case on behalf of 14 same-sex couples, Equality California and Our Family Coalition for the past four years and today we have made history!

In its powerful decision, the court said, "In light of the fundamental nature of the substantive rights embodied in the right to marry — and their central importance to an individual's opportunity to live a happy, meaningful and satisfying life as a full member of society — the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all couples, without regard to their sexual orientation."

California is now the second state in the country where same-sex couples have the freedom to marry. Visit Lambda Legal's Relationships Resources Page for more information.

Now we must all do what we can to make sure that discrimination is not written into the state constitution in California through a ballot initiative. Visit the Equality for All website to see how you can help.

"We have waited more than 50 years for the opportunity to marry," said Phyllis Lyon, 80. She and her partner Del Martin, 84, were plaintiffs in the case. They have been together 55 years and were the first couple married in San Francisco on February 12, 2004. "We are thrilled that this day has finally come."

Norway Sixth Country to Pass Gay Marriage

What Was Your Representative's ENDA Vote

November 12, 2007

While the recent passage of ENDA by the United States House of Representatives was a marked step in the right direction, aside from the egregious exclusion of the trans community from its protections, each individual must examine and reflect upon how their respective representative voted on this crucial bill.

University of Nebraska at Omaha, as well as any students, faculty, or staff residing in Bellevue, Bennington, Boys Town, Douglas County, Elkhorn, Papillion, Sarpy County, Valley, or Waterloo are represented by Nebraska Representative Lee Terry.

It is important to know that Representative Terry remarked:

The Student Agency of Gender & Sexual Orientation, as apart of our promise to deliver comprehensive programs and services, will be composing a letter of response to this statement, that will be sent to Representative Terry with the signatures of constitutents at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Another news posting will alert concerned/interested parties as to when this letter is ready to be signed by members of the UNO and greater Omaha community!

U.S. House of Representatives Pass ENDA

November 7, 2007

The United States House of Representatives voted to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) today, marking the first time in the nation's history that protections of this nature have been supported in majority by a Congressional body.

While this is a marked historical step in the right direction, this bill did not include the desired gender identity/expression clause, which would have protected the transgender community from employment discrimination. It is imperative that this community receive equal protections under the law, and that individuals take steps to alert their respective representatives of the dire nature of excluding the trans community from these protections.

House of Representatives Vote on ENDA Today

November 7, 2007

The United States House of Representatives will vote on the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which will enumerate protections on the basis of sexual orientation and marital status.

Anti-Bullying Bill Gains Ground

January 16, 2008.

Sponsored by long time Nebraska ally to the LGBT community, Omaha Senator Gwen Howard has long pursued the adoption of an inclusive anti-bullying bill.

On Wednesday, the bill (LB205) cleared first-round approval on a 39-1 vote. School boards, districts, parent and students helped work on details of the bill, which would require that districts have a written anti-bullying policy that would be reviewed annually.

At least 90 percent of districts have some sort of  anti-bullying policy. At least 20 percent have written policies and others address bullying through a code of conduct, surveys have shown.

Some senators were concerned the bill constituted yet another state mandate for schools, which are already swimming in state and federal mandates.

The above was taken, in part, from Lincoln Journal Star's Nate Jenkins.

Though this anti-bullying legislation would allow for enumerated protected classes, they are not mentioned in the bill, and are thus left to individual school districts to decide, which makes it much more likely that the bill will indeed be passed into law by Governor Heineman. 

It is no mystery, that any emumerated classes which are inclusive of the LGBT community would draw fire and backlash from state Senators, culminating in the bill failing. Though this is a disappointing scenario, taking the decision to protect only certain members of the student community, while excluding others, and bringing it to the individual school districts may be a safer approach. Hopefully, in the near future, Nebraska school districts and its students will enjoy school environments which are inclusive and protective of everyone and their right to learn in a safe and respectful environment.

AMA removing insurance barries for transgender car