 |
 Ontario Tax Payers to Foot Bill for Sex Changes
George Smitherman, Ontario Health Minister, announced Thursday the province plans to reinstate funding for sex change operations. While the details have not been finalized the province is moving forward on a promise made years ago.
Nearly a decade ago the Conservative government at that time stopped the coverage for those who were undergoing the procedure.
Between 1997-1998 OHIP paid $122,000 for eight sex changes. Those eight were the last ones in the province to not have to foot the bill of a sex change operation. Once the details have been ironed out, four people who have been approved for surgery will get the go ahead.
The demand isn't that large; only eight to ten people qualify for the surgery each year. It is likely the province will pay about $200,000 a year for those needing gender reassignment surgery.
"It is the government's intention to move forward with the provision of services on about the same level as they were (when) cancelled some number of years ago," Smitherman said, noting the details of the leaked announcement have yet to be finalized.
To undergo the surgery an individual must complete a rigorous psychological evaluation at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
The previous government's refusal to pay for such operations has been deemed discriminatory and McGinty's government was compelled to put things rightly back into place.
A population which has needs that are quite difficult to understand were subjected to a lot of politics," Smitherman said. "I think we should be careful not to use what is $200,000 dollars on a $40.2 billion budget as an excuse to try and create a them-and-us conversation," he added noting the government also funds other people with specialized needs.
The procedure will likely take place in Montreal where most sexual reassignment surgery is currently performed. The current cost for a sex-change operation at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie Plastique is $17,000.
"It probably makes sense from a clinical outcome standpoint that those be done in a place that is most specialized in the country," Smitherman said. "That is the way it had been in the prior circumstances."
Ontario will join the ranks of Alberta, B.C., Manitoba and Saskatchewan covering this surgery. With medical documentation Newfoundland and Labrador also will cover costs. Quebec will not be funding patients for this particular surgery. While the surgery is covered for many in Canada, travel expenses and post surgical accommodations are not.
Activists are happy that the province will finally be keeping its promise made years ago.
"This will save lives," DiNovo said. "It's the end of a long journey and it's a joyous day."
-
Good report KJ.
What do you guys think about this? Do you think provincial tax payers should pay for this? Readers outside of Ontario -- how would you feel if your state/province mandated the same thing?
-
I don't think they should at all.
-
If Blue Cross could cover this here in New Brunswick I'm ok with that.
-
We should pay for it.
-
Let's see, it's not a preventative treatment, it's not a life saving procedure, it's not really a health care related surgery...no, I wouldn't want my insurance company funding it, and definitely not my taxes.
-
I am in total agreement with S.D. about this and do not believe that our government should be paying for this.
I know that Smitherman et al are attempting to justify this by placing a "likely" very modest $200,000 price tag per year (by the way that only covers the actual operation, what about all the "counselling" that goes on?) on it. But here is the thing, we have had so many things that have been cut back under OHIP, the most glaring one was the removal of eye examination payments (something that was available to each and every Ontarian), that re-introducing this is just ludicrous. The activist's quoted in the article say that this will save lives...eight a year. In the meantime, there are thousands of people in Ontario who are not getting their eyes checked, which carries with it a far greater societal and economic cost to society as a whole.
Listen, $200K would just about cover the cost of keeping those swimming pools open in the schools, it would also have covered the costs for keeping the ice rinks open for two weeks in March ... tell me, how many kids will not have swimming programs next year or how many people will not be able to get out and get some exercise and fun by skating for March break next year. Yes, yes, I know these are municipal services (shall I mentioned downloading?) and that they found (or may have found) corporate sponsors to fund these things. These are just two examples that I remember where there was a price tag of around $200K and it affected many, many people.
I do not begrudge anyone the possibility of gender reassignment/sex change surgery, I just honestly believe this is a pure political play and in a province where we have people who are forced to sell their homes to pay for cancer treatments because of OHIP cutback, well I believe that our tax dollars would be much better allocated toward bettering the lives of society as a whole, rather than a razor thin slice of it.
Alternatively, let's get back to funding everything.
-
Alternatively, let's get back to funding everything. an intriguing option. -
@ Mr Garibaldi
Let's see, it's not a preventative treatment, it's not a life saving procedure, it's not really a health care related surgery...no, I wouldn't want my insurance company funding it, and definitely not my taxes.
Well You must learn from the practice currently in effect and one from which Obama and Hillary are trying to copy that We the Tax payers MUST Share everything.. well not sex changes at least so far.. just OUT CASH.. So welcome to the Canadians Health care system that forces Canadians across the border for Prompt Medical care but rushes sex changes to the front of the line...LOLOLOLO -
@ Bob Ewing
an intriguing option. Bob, totally agree and I for one think this is what governments, taxpayers, hospital administrations, nursing unions, long-term-care facilities, etc. etc. should all be pushing for. After all it is supposed to be "universal" health care. -
@ Carolyn E. Price (gohomelaker)
Bob, totally agree and I for one think this is what governments, taxpayers, hospital administrations, nursing unions, long-term-care facilities, etc. etc. should all be pushing for. After all it is supposed to be "universal" health care.
agreed. -
@ Chris Hogg
Good report KJ.
What do you guys think about this? Do you think provincial tax payers should pay for this? Readers outside of Ontario -- how would you feel if your state/province mandated the same thing?
Thanks Chris. I think because of the through screening that takes place that yes this is a medical issue and should be covered by OHIP. -
@ KJ (momentsintime)
Thanks Chris. I think because of the through screening that takes place that yes this is a medical issue and should be covered by OHIP.
Are Elective non life threatening Medical Surgical Procedures Really a reason for tax payers' funding? For the same amount perhaps more Pressing Surgical procedures should be given more priority?? You Think??? -
@ redhawk
Are Elective non life threatening Medical Surgical Procedures Really a reason for tax payers' funding? For the same amount perhaps more Pressing Surgical procedures should be given more priority?? You Think???
Do you think mental health should be covered? What about well baby visits? Then there's people who have weight reduction surgery....unless you are the one needing a particular controversial health care need most likely others have questioned the need to cover it. Canada's health care is Universal Health Care. That means coverage for all medical needs. Those who have made it through the screening have a medical reason for this surgery. It's not up for me to say if that is a 'real' reason as I am not a trained medical doctor. -
@ KJ (momentsintime)
Do you think mental health should be covered? What about well baby visits? Then there's people who have weight reduction surgery....unless you are the one needing a particular controversial health care need most likely others have questioned the need to cover it. Canada's health care is Universal Health Care. That means coverage for all medical needs. Those who have made it through the screening have a medical reason for this surgery. It's not up for me to say if that is a 'real' reason as I am not a trained medical doctor.
While Mental health is Life thareatening for many , YES i consider it a Necessity.. Wight reduction for Extemee casese .. a DIET and Self discipline can overcome this.. OK Canada is Universal Health care So to prove my point .. Why is it that Canadians are crossing the Border for Medical care having to wait forever for Canadian Universal care??? ... Sex Cahnge would be VERY FAR DOWN any Medical Proprity -
@ KJ (momentsintime)
Do you think mental health should be covered? What about well baby visits? Then there's people who have weight reduction surgery....unless you are the one needing a particular controversial health care need most likely others have questioned the need to cover it. Canada's health care is Universal Health Care. That means coverage for all medical needs. Those who have made it through the screening have a medical reason for this surgery. It's not up for me to say if that is a 'real' reason as I am not a trained medical doctor.
While Mental health is Life threatening for many , YES i consider it a Necessity.. Wight reduction for Extreme cases .. a DIET and Self discipline can overcome this.. OK Canada is Universal Health care So to prove my point .. Why is it that Canadians are crossing the Border for Medical care having to wait forever for Canadian Universal care??? ... Sex Change would be VERY FAR DOWN any Medical Priority -
Sex changes, boob jobs, penile enhancements...it is all about the brain wanting to be what the body isnt .
If we pay for one, we pay for all!
I'm first on the list if insurance wants to cover it....new boobs, cool!
Otherwise, no, they should not because it isn't medically necessary.
-
@ Nikki W (karateblossom)
Sex changes, boob jobs, penile enhancements...it is all about the brain wanting to be what the body isnt .
If we pay for one, we pay for all!
I'm first on the list if insurance wants to cover it....new boobs, cool!
Otherwise, no, they should not because it isn't medically necessary.
Now there you go!...How about Hair Implants?? Nose Jobs, etc... Where do we draw the line??? -
my point hawk! you can't. there is no line. surgery for heart condition..ok. but because some kid believes he is a she? no way.....cause then we are doing all sorts of procedures that are 'because someone thinks'.
But like I said, they want to add it our plan, I'm in line for D cups! love those jelly filled round lobes! At $10 k for a good set (w/ redoes possible every 3-5 due to capular contraction and leakage, it costs more). Then the costs assoc w/ returning them to AAA once you no longer want them! lol.
So when SAM decides he is no longer SAMANTHA, do they pay for a replacement surgery?
-
@ Nikki W (karateblossom)
my point hawk! you can't. there is no line. surgery for heart condition..ok. but because some kid believes he is a she? no way.....cause then we are doing all sorts of procedures that are 'because someone thinks'.
But like I said, they want to add it our plan, I'm in line for D cups! love those jelly filled round lobes! At $10 k for a good set (w/ redoes possible every 3-5 due to capular contraction and leakage, it costs more). Then the costs assoc w/ returning them to AAA once you no longer want them! lol.
So when SAM decides he is no longer SAMANTHA, do they pay for a replacement surgery?
Next we might have to investigate when Hugh wants to be a EWE... I really don't want to venture into D cups unless they are filled with Raspberry Jelly at least... 3-5 years trade in for newer flavors sounds OK ... But what about Punctures?? LOLOLOLOl is there any Insurance for malfunction and performace.. how about satisfaction? does the Universal Insurance cover that?? Just asking of course!! -
A sex change operation is a matter of mental health. Mental health is and should be covered under any medical plan. Breast enlargement can fall under mental health but there are alternatives to surgery to solve this problem such as counseling. Sex change operations are the result of counseling. The person really feels they were born as the wrong sex and for their mental health they need this operation.
-
Thinking more about this: if they have to undergo serious psych testing wouldnt that mean the cost to the province is a whole lot more than $200,000?
-
@ Chris Hogg
Thinking more about this: if they have to undergo serious psych testing wouldnt that mean the cost to the province is a whole lot more than $200,000?
Not if they undergo psych testing regardless of whether they get surgery. It wouldn't factor into the argument. -
@ Carolyn E. Price (gohomelaker)
I am in total agreement with S.D. about this and do not believe that our government should be paying for this.
I know that Smitherman et al are attempting to justify this by placing a "likely" very modest $200,000 price tag per year (by the way that only covers the actual operation, what about all the "counselling" that goes on?) on it. But here is the thing, we have had so many things that have been cut back under OHIP, the most glaring one was the removal of eye examination payments (something that was available to each and every Ontarian), that re-introducing this is just ludicrous. The activist's quoted in the article say that this will save lives...eight a year. In the meantime, there are thousands of people in Ontario who are not getting their eyes checked, which carries with it a far greater societal and economic cost to society as a whole.
Listen, $200K would just about cover the cost of keeping those swimming pools open in the schools, it would also have covered the costs for keeping the ice rinks open for two weeks in March ... tell me, how many kids will not have swimming programs next year or how many people will not be able to get out and get some exercise and fun by skating for March break next year. Yes, yes, I know these are municipal services (shall I mentioned downloading?) and that they found (or may have found) corporate sponsors to fund these things. These are just two examples that I remember where there was a price tag of around $200K and it affected many, many people.
I do not begrudge anyone the possibility of gender reassignment/sex change surgery, I just honestly believe this is a pure political play and in a province where we have people who are forced to sell their homes to pay for cancer treatments because of OHIP cutback, well I believe that our tax dollars would be much better allocated toward bettering the lives of society as a whole, rather than a razor thin slice of it.
Alternatively, let's get back to funding everything.
Well said.
@ Chris Hogg
Thinking more about this: if they have to undergo serious psych testing wouldnt that mean the cost to the province is a whole lot more than $200,000?
You bet. Add a Comment
|
 |
|
|
Email
Print
Share
