How sadly timely that we here at Confabulous have been discussing opinions on state funding of gender reassignment surgery: to save $700,000/year, the Alberta Government has now cut the procedure from its list of funded services. The estimated savings amount to about 19 cents per Albertan.
The decision may have dire consequences, highlights a Calgary Herald article:
“Ignorance is fuelling the decision,” said Kris Wells, a researcher at the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services based at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
“This is a case of sacrificing people’s lives. … These medical transitions end up saving people’s lives. This is a community that has higher rates of suicide, depression, drug and alcohol abuse because there is so little understanding.
Opponents of the change plan to file a human rights complaint. For updates and to lend your support, check out the “Reinstate Gender Reassignment Surgery Funding in Alberta” Facebook group.
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