Boston proposal would boost gender therapy access

Boston (AP) — Two Boston city councilors have proposed making gender reassignment surgery covered under city worker health plans.

City Councilors-at-Large Michelle Wu and Ayanna Pressley plan to file a proposal Monday that would guarantee transgender city employees access to gender reassignment surgery, hormone therapy, and mental health services.

The measure has the support of Mayor Martin Walsh.

Wu tells The Boston Globe the ordinance is meant to affirm human rights for transgender people and also make city jobs attractive and welcoming to the widest range of talent.

The proposal would ban the city from contracting with any health insurer that denies benefits or "discriminates in the amount of premium, policy fees, or rates charged" on the basis of gender identity.

Authorities say similar measures in other cities have little impact on premiums.

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Information from: The Boston Globe.

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The Gayly – April 14, 2014 @ 9:15am