Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2011 · 139 citations · 0 references
MedicineGynecologyObstetricsGenderGender PolicyReproductive HealthGender DiscriminationGender IdentityGender Identity DiscriminationGender-affirming CareSex DiscriminationTransgender HealthComprehensive Health Insurance PlansGender Identity DisparitiesGender-affirming Healthcare AccessInstitutional Barriers To CarePrivate Insurance PlansSupplemental Health Insurance PlansTransgender Health Care AccessTransgender Healthcare Access
Transgender individuals face harassment, discrimination, and rejection within our society. Lack of awareness, knowledge, and sensitivity in health care communities eventually leads to inadequate access to, underutilization of, and disparities within the health care system for this population. Although the care for these patients is often managed by a specialty team, obstetrician–gynecologists should be prepared to assist or refer transgender individuals with routine treatment and screening as well as hormonal and surgical therapies. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposes discrimination on the basis of gender identity and urges public and private health insurance plans to cover the treatment of gender identity disorder.