medical

We recognize that when we help address the health care needs of our transgender clients, we help insure their continued productivity as members of our society. We seek to insure that transgender clients receive the health care they need.

We understand that the transgender community is especially affected by poverty which is exacerbated by routine health care related discrimination. Transgender health care continues to be excluded from most every health care policy and indigent care program around the world due to ignorance, fear, dogma and prejudice.

"I remember late one night in December my lover and I arrived at a hospital emergency room during a snowstorm. My fever was 104 and rising. My blood pressure was dangerously high… When [the doctor] determined that my anatomy was female, he flashed me a mean-spirited smirk… He ordered me to leave the hospital and never return. I refused. I told him I wouldn't leave until he could tell me why my fervor was so high. He said, 'You have a fever because you are a very troubled person.' The doctor's prejudices, directed at me during a catastrophic illness, could have killed me. The death certificate would have read: Endocarditis. By all rights it should have read: Bigotry." - Leslie Feinberg, activist and author

Many transgenders find that even if they are insured or have access to indigent care, all services relating to transgender healthcare are excluded. Routine blood work, mammograms, medication, doctor visits, psychological care and of course, sex reassignment surgery are all normal exclusions in most all health care programs. All expenses are out-of-pocket. As a result, many transgenders are not able to meet their medical expenses and their health care needs go unmet.

1) Kaiser Permanete, CalPers, HMO Policy, August 1, 1994 - Sec. 5-A. Exclusions from Coverage, 13. Services related to sexual transformation.

2) Take Care, CalPers, HMO Policy, August 1, 1994 - General Exclusions and Limitations, A. Plan Exclusions, (33) Sex Change. Any procedure or treatment designed to alter the member's physical characteristics to those of the opposite sex or any other treatment or studies relating to sex transformation."

3) Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool (State Government Sponsored Health Pool): "Elective procedures or treatments, or medications therefore … sexual transformations, sexual dysfunctions or disorders."

Many transgenders find themselves in a catch-22 situation: They have lost their job or have suffered a drastic reduction in pay due to their transitional status. In order to move trough their transition, both medical care and guidance are essential for their successful transition. They cannot obtain medical care due to poverty, ignorance, fear, dogma and/or prejudice. Thus, one more issue is contributed to a vicious cycle of unemployment and unmet needs.

"Many transgender and transsexual persons are rejected by their families (Denny, 1995; Walwoth, unpublished), or are victims of hate crimes, rape, persecution, discrimination in employment and housing, and denial of social services based either on their appearance or because others possess knowledge that they are transgendered (cf San Francisco Human Rights Commission, 1994). Abrupt and total ostracism, and especially loss of income can put transgendered person quite literally on the street, with sex work as the only immediately available vocational option" - Denny, M.A., 1997;Transgendered Youth at Risk for Exploitation, HIV, Hate Crimes

If you are a transgender who is not receiving adequate health care, please contact CATS at 281-585-8089.

NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET MINIMUM PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. CONTACT CATS FOR MORE INFORMATION.