A 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy group in Toronto is applauding the government’s decision to fund gender affirmation surgery for federal employees.
Beginning July 1, the Trudeau government is assisting transgender employees in federal public service with gender affirmation surgery up to $75,000 per lifetime.
Additions to the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) by the Treasury Board, in accordance with varying insurance companies per province, will be administered with the intent of covering medically necessary interventions not covered by provincial health plans for people on their gender affirmation journeys.
The funding would greatly support transgender, 2 Spirit and gender-diverse people but ever since the funding was announced there have been mixed opinions about it surfacing online. The 519, an agency and charity committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, believes Canada’s funding decision is progressive.
“The Federal government’s extension of benefits to Federal employees is a momentous step forward in providing affirming and safe care for trans people. Affirming health care is lifesaving care,”Curran Stikuts, director of strategic communications and advocacy of the 519, told Now Toronto in an email statement Monday.
“We hope this will encourage all employers to examine ways to provide more inclusive and affirming health care options for employees,” Stikuts continues.
In response to varying social media opinions, Stikuts applauds the federal government’s action.
“During a moment of senseless reactionary backlash towards trans communities that is based in fearmongering rather than facts, we applaud this move by the federal government that trans advocates have been demanding for years.”
In Canada, individuals must be over 18 years old, undergo all procedures considered necessary by the attending physician or nurse practitioner and submit and receive an approved Gender Affirmation Application Form to be considered for government-funded gender-affirming procedures.
