The Delaware Journal of Public Health: LGBT Health Equity

This issue of the Delaware Journal of Public Health is devoted to LGBT Health Equity and features several articles relevant to trans and gender nonbinary youth and adults. Several are listed below, and others in the journal are interesting as well.

Most notable are:

Keeping Youth Alive: Considerations for Suicide Prevention of Gender Diverse Youth. Author: Elise Mora, LCSW.

“Objective. This article examines suicidality of gender expansive youth and identifies evidence=based practical interventions for healthcare professionals and other adults who interact with gender expansive youth…

“Results. Gender expansive youth are at significantly heightened risk of suicide compared to their cisgender peers. Nonbinary youth are the most vulnerable of all subgroups.

“Conclusion: Explicit recommendations for enhancing resilience for this population complete the article. More research is critical for this demographic, as current literature is severely limited.”

A Mother’s Story. Author: Sally McBride.

“Sally and David McBride’s youngest child came out as transgender on Christmas Day 2011 as a junior at American University. The news rocked their world. Here is their story as told by Sally.”

Building Resilience, Reducing Risk: Four Pillars to Creating Safer, More Supportive Schools for LGBT Youth. Author: Rev Karla Fleshman, LCSW, M.Div.

“Abstract. In 2017 Delaware, LGBTQ+ Youth reported that almost 1 out of 3 were bullied on school grounds. Additionally, over 50% reported feeling sad/hopeless, and almost as many seriously considered suicide as an option, while 32% planned for suicide with almost 1 in 4 reported having acted on their suicide plan at least once. Of all the students who reported a suicide attempt, 10% required medical treatment as a result of their attempt. The Delaware Department of Education does not have comprehensive statewide protections in place to support some of our most vulnerable youth, yet school districts can make a positive difference in implementing policy/practices to build resilience and reduce risk.

“This article will focus on four key areas where schools and school districts may implement changes toward creating safer, more supportive schools: (1) policy/procedures that protect LGBTQ+ students at the administrative level; (2) comprehensive cultural sensitivity training for serving LGBTQ+ students and their families; (3) incorporating inclusive curriculum on LGBTQ+ history into the classroom; (4) and creating, supporting, and sustaining gender and sexuality alliances in both the middle and high schools.”

https://www.academia.edu/39955943/LGBTQ_Health_Equity

American Psychoanalytic Association Speaks Out Against Harmful Laws Targeting Transgender Youth and Healthcare Providers

American Psychoanalytic Association Speaks Out Against Harmful Laws Targeting Transgender Youth and Healthcare Providers

The Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group respects and fully endorses the position of the American Psychoanalytic Association and wants to express thanks for their position affirming the rights and needs of this vulnerable population.

Find more information on affirmative care for trans and non binary youth at our website: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And like/follow us on Facebook for more updates: @gdaffirmative

“New York, NY – February 4, 2020– The American Psychoanalytic Association urges South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to reject a recently passed bill in the state legislature known as the Vulnerable Child Protection Act (HB 1057). This harmful legislation would make it a misdemeanor for physicians or any other medical professional to perform gender reassignment surgeries on minors or anyone who provides patients younger than 16-years-old with hormone therapy. If passed, South Dakota would be the first state to impose such a law.”"

““APsaA strongly opposes efforts to legislate appropriate medical treatments for transgender youth based on political ideologies that ignore both scientific research and expert clinical opinion,” said Lee Jaffe, president of the Association. “This law is fundamentally dangerous and if it becomes law would jeopardize the health and mental well-being of transgender youth in South Dakota.””

“Since the start of the 2020 legislative session, at least six states have proposed measures to restrict transgender minors' access to gender reassignment treatments, including surgery and hormone therapy. Some of the bills would make it illegal for physicians to administer the treatments, while others would classify the act as child abuse. If HB 1057 becomes law, it would make South Dakota the first state to make it illegal for physicians to assist minors in their gender reassignment process.”

““As psychoanalysts, we know from research and clinical expertise that discriminatory laws such as this law in South Dakota and elsewhere will have long-term mental health consequences for transgender youth, contributing to increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior. We call on leaders to reject these misguided and dangerous laws.”'“

‘Since 1991, APsaA has issued numerous position statements supporting LGBTQ people regarding discrimination in military service, marriage equality, parenting, efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity, and bullying and harassment. For a link to our position statements, please visit www.apsa.org/position-statements.”

“The American Psychoanalytic Association is the oldest and largest professional organization for psychoanalysts in North America, representing 3,000 members, 32 approved training institutes, and 38 affiliate societies throughout the United States. Visit apsa.org for more information.”

https://apsa.org/content/apsaa-speaks-out-against-harmful-laws-targeting-transgender-youth-and-healthcare-providers

Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation

Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation

Published in Pediatrics. February, 2020.: Authors: Jack L. Turban, Dana King, Jeremi M. Carswelland Alex S. Keuroghlian.

The full article is behind a paywall and not everyone will have access, but the overview itself will be helpful for many.

Find more research on affirmative care for trans and non binary youth at our website: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

Like/Follow us on Facebook for more updates: @gdaffirmative

“BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues are commonly prescribed to suppress endogenous puberty for transgender adolescents. There are limited data regarding the mental health benefits of this treatment. Our objective for this study was to examine associations between access to pubertal suppression during adolescence and adult mental health outcomes.”

“METHODS:Using a cross-sectional survey of 20 619 transgender adults aged 18 to 36 years, we examined self-reported history of pubertal suppression during adolescence. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined associations between access to pubertal suppression and adult mental health outcomes, including multiple measures of suicidality.”

“RESULTS:Of the sample, 16.9% reported that they ever wanted pubertal suppression as part of their gender-related care. Their mean age was 23.4 years, and 45.2% were assigned male sex at birth. Of them, 2.5% received pubertal suppression. After adjustment for demographic variables and level of family support for gender identity, those who received treatment with pubertal suppression, when compared with those who wanted pubertal suppression but did not receive it, had lower odds of lifetime suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio = 0.3; 95% confidence interval = 0.2–0.6).”

“CONCLUSIONS:This is the first study in which associations between access to pubertal suppression and suicidality are examined. There is a significant inverse association between treatment with pubertal suppression during adolescence and lifetime suicidal ideation among transgender adults who ever wanted this treatment. These results align with past literature, suggesting that pubertal suppression for transgender adolescents who want this treatment is associated with favorable mental health outcomes.”

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/145/2/e20191725?

WPATH and USPATH Joint Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age

WPATH and USPATH Joint Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age

Published: January 28, 2020.

Yesterday, WPATH and USPATH released a joint statement about a recent and troubling trend across various states in the US. The Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group fully endorses what is written here.

A web link to the statement can be found here: https://listloop.com/wpath/mail.cgi/archive/adhoc/20200128125839/

Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age and to Penalize Professionals who Provide that Medical Care

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and its US chapter, the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH), vehemently oppose the legislation being proposed in Florida (HB 1365), South Carolina (HB 4716), South Dakota (HB 1057), Colorado (HB 20-1114), and similar legislation in other states.  These bills seek to deny evidence-based care for transgender people under 18 years of age and to penalize professionals who provide that medical care.  These bills will punish practitioners of gender affirming care with revocation of their medical license, or up to 15 years in prison in some states.  These bills will treat health care providers as if they committed manslaughter or arson.  

Many of the procedures mentioned by these bills are not even offered to transgender youth, revealing these bills to be alarmist expressions of ill-informed opinion. Guidance for the provision of medical care for transgender youth is outlined within the 7th edition of Standards of Care (SOC) for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People created by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (Coleman et al. 2012). The guidelines differentiate between children and adolescents with regard to the provision of care. 

Under the SOC, children do not receive any of the medical care identified within these bills, but mental health and social supports are provided to them along with their families.  Surgeries on genitals and reproductive systems are considered for people who are typically over 18 years of age (depending on the age of consent and other relevant factors in the pertinent jurisdiction) and have been living in their affirmed gender for at least 12 months. Medical treatments that might be recommend for certain adolescents include puberty-blocking medication and – in carefully selected cases – hormone replacement therapies and surgery, most often non-genital. These treatments are not offered without conscientious medical attention and informed clinical evaluation.

Puberty suppression has been found to be very beneficial for transgender adolescents, and it is reversible (Mahfouda et al. 2017; Olson-Kennedy et al. 2018; Hodax et al. 2019; Salas-Humara et al. 2019).  Further, a recently published study has concluded that transgender adults who had access to pubertal blockers had a lower risk of suicidal ideation compared to those transgender adults who did not have access to pubertal blockers (Turban et al. 2020).

We are disturbed by these attempts to legislate medical treatment without expert guidance from the relevant national medical organizations or even testimony from experienced, qualified local or regional providers and patients for whom these treatments have been beneficial, if not lifesaving. Given the climate in which these bills are presented, however, we can imagine that few young patients or their parents would be willing to present themselves for the scrutiny of potentially hostile legislators and the activists who are promoting these damaging bills. 

All medical treatment is a crucial and very personal service that virtually everyone depends upon at some point in their lives, and it should not be delivered or restricted according to the whims of distant lawmakers who know little or nothing about the circumstances of an individual’s life. Proper medical care for any condition is a matter best negotiated between patients and their trained and qualified medical providers who are relying on clinical evidence and experience. 

These bills attempt to criminalize treatments or at best restrict medical professionals from helping their patients and their families. Since transgender children, adolescents, or adults cannot be legislated out of existence, these bills seem to be a misguided attempt to prevent transgender people from coming forward for services they need in order to live healthy lives. 

We urge you to reject these harmful bills and assure your transgender constituents and their families that their health and well-being is just as important as your own.

Click here for an additional WPATH Statement in Response to Calls for Banning Evidence-Based Supportive Health Interventions for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth.

References

Coleman E, Bockting W, Botzer M, et al (2012) Standards of care for the health of transsexual,

transgender, and gender-nonconforming people, version 7. Int J Transgenderism 13:165–232

Hodax JK, Wagner J, Sackett-Taylor AC, et al (2019) Medical options for care of gender diverse and

Transgender youth. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol S1083-3188(19)30206–2.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2019.05.010

Mahfouda S, Moore JK, Siafarikas A, et al (2017) Puberty suppression in transgender children and

adolescents. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 5:816–826. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30099-2

Olson-Kennedy J, Okonta V, Clark LF, Belzer M (2018) Physiologic Response to Gender-Affirming

Hormones Among Transgender Youth. J Adolesc Health 62:397–401.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.08.005

Salas-Humara C, Sequeira GM, Rossi W, Dhar CP (2019) Gender affirming medical care of transgender

youth. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 49:100683.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2019.100683

Turban JL, King D, Carswell JM, Keuroghlian AS. Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of

Suicidal Ideation. Pediatrics. 2020 Jan 23. pii: e20191725

Yadegarfard M, Meinhold-Bergmann ME, Ho R (2014) Family rejection, social isolation, and loneliness as

predictors of negative health outcomes (depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual risk behavior) among

Thai male-to-female transgender adolescents. J LGBT Youth 11:347–363

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULL POLICY STATEMENT

WPATH Board of Directors

USPATH Board of Directors

STAFF

President

Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD

President

Erica Anderson, PhD

Executive Director

Sue O’Sullivan; sue@wpath.org

President-Elect

Walter Pierre Bouman, MD, PhD

President-Elect

Madeline Deutsch, MD, MPH

Executive Director of Global Education & Development

Donna Kelly; donna@wpath.org

Secretary

Randi Ettner, PhD

Secretary/Treasurer

Emilia Lombardi, PhD

Deputy Executive Director

Blaine Vella; blaine@wpath.org

Treasurer

Baudewijntje Kreukels, PhD

Immediate Past-President

Gail Knudson, MD, MEd, FRCPC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tamara Adrian, JD Marci Bowers, MD

Tone Maria Hansen, MSN Ren Massey, PhD

Asa Radix, MD, PhD, MPH

Loren Schechter, MD Jaimie Veale, PhD

Immediate Past-President Joshua Safer, MD, FACP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dana (Thomas) Bevan, PhD John Capozuca, PhD

Lisa Griffin, PhD

Johanna Olson-Kennedy, MD, MS

Asa Radix, MD, PhD, MPH

Student Representative

Nova Bradford, BA

Communications Director

Jamison Green; jamison@veritasmeetingsolutions.com

EPATH Representative

Walter Pierre Bouman, MD, PhD

USPATH Representative

Erica Anderson, PhD

GEI Representative (Ex-Officio)

Lin Fraser, EdD

Student Representative (Ex-Officio)

Penelope Strauss, BA, MPH

Reduction in Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Transgender Individuals After Gender-Affirming Surgeries: A Total Population Study

Reduction in Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Transgender Individuals After Gender-Affirming Surgeries: A Total Population Study

Published in: American Journal of Psychiatry. October 4, 2019. Authors: Richard Bränström, Ph.D., John E Pachankis, Ph.D.

Yet another study documenting what we already know: transgender people who receive affirming care show dramatic improvement, especially when compared to those in disaffirming environments.

Find more research about affirmative care for trans and non-binary individuals at our website:

www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And follow us on Facebook for updates:

@gdaffirmative

“Compared with the general population, individuals with a gender incongruence diagnosis were about six times as likely to have had a mood and anxiety disorder health care visit, more than three times as likely to have received prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiolytics, and more than six times as likely to have been hospitalized after a suicide attempt. Years since initiating hormone treatment was not significantly related to likelihood of mental health treatment (adjusted odds ratio=1.01, 95% CI=0.98, 1.03). However, increased time since last gender-affirming surgery was associated with reduced mental health treatment (adjusted odds ratio=0.92, 95% CI=0.87, 0.98).”

https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19010080

The AusPATH [Australian Professional Association for Trans Health] Position Statement on "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria" (ROGD)

Published September 30, 2019. Shared here in its’ entirety.

“The Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) was established in 2009 and is Australia’s peak body for professionals involved in the health, rights and well-being of trans, including gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB), people. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 250 experienced professionals working across Australia.

“The term “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)” is not a diagnosis or health condition recognised by any major professional association, nor is it listed as a subtype or classification in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Therefore, “ROGD” is an acronym describing a proposed phenomenon, with insufficient peer-reviewed scientific evidence to support its implementation and/or use within clinical, community, social and legal settings1.

“AusPATH affirms the rigorous processes by which diagnoses are developed and applied. These academic and clinical processes operate within professional medical organisations, and are developed by expert working groups of  scientists, clinicians, and stakeholders over long periods of time, with high levels of scientific scrutiny of the evidence-based literature. “ROGD” does not meet this standard, and therefore is not recognised by AusPATH.

“Whilst many have a clear picture of their gender from a very early age, for others the journey towards understanding their gender is more prolonged. The timing of when an individual discloses their gender to others is a separate consideration and does not necessarily reflect the development of their experienced gender. Many do not disclose their identity, rather hiding it for fear of negative reactions from others, including family rejection, discrimination, stigmatisation and social exclusion. The term “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” is not, and has never been, a diagnosis or health condition but has been used in a single report describing parental perception of their adolescent’s gender identity without exploration of the gender identity and experiences of the adolescents themselves.

“AusPATH encourages continued scientific exploration within a culture of academic freedom, not censorship. All TGDNB people are deserving of gender-affirmative, evidence-based care that is underpinned by contemporary, adequately endorsed and community engaged standards of care and clinical guidelines.

“AusPATH recognises the harms caused by conversion, reparative and aversion treatments and opposes any such efforts to invalidate an individual’s experienced gender. AusPATH supports affirmative responses to young people whereby self-reported gender is respected, and young people are able to safely explore their gender and expression without judgment, pathologisation or predetermined outcome. AusPATH urges caution in the use of any term that has the potential to invalidate a person’s gender.

1. WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) position on “Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)”4 September 2018

https://auspath.org/advocacy/?fbclid=IwAR3GN9E6NmvTyZNx-LcCIgW1mg5zpkE8UgpUaFYweTFBawgMS023DFTgtfI

A Viral Fake News Story Linked Trans Health Care to 'Thousands' of Deaths

A Viral Fake News Story Linked Trans Health Care to ‘Thousands’ of Deaths

Hormone blockers used by some transgender people have multiple uses, including treating prostate cancer in terminally ill patients.

To be clear: Lupron has been widely used in thousands of trans youth, and members of the Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group are NOT AWARE OF ANY DEATHS attributable to Lupron use in trans and gender noxnbinary youth.

As people may have already seen, an ultra conservative Catholic website (Lifesite News) spread misleading news that some 6,300 deaths over 40 years were attributed to leuprolide acetate (Lupron), a medication also used as a puberty blocker in trans youth. Articles and other information released about this issue minimized or did not mention that Lupron is commonly used in palliative care for long-term and terminally ill cancer patients, and instead implied that this medication has been widely killing transgender youth. Multiple conservative outlets further distributed this story (including Breitbart and Daily Wire). We have become aware that parent groups have reported this article (and similar ones reflecting the same misinformation) being sent by "well meaning" relatives to parents of trans youth. We also are concerned that this issue will be used as a ‘talking point’ in other venues like school board meetings and such by those opposed to policies supporting trans youth.

Thus far only one article in mainstream journalism outlet has debunked this misleading press. The "good" article is linked below.

Sadly, we all may be obligated to push back against the further discrimination, hatred, and transphobia only encouraged by these stories. We encourage you to remember that affirmative care - including puberty blockers such as Lupron - have been demonstrated to have vastly improved outcomes for trans youth including dramatic decreases in depression, anxiety, substance use, school dropout, obesity, smoking rates, suicidal ideation and gestures.

“A recent article published by Catholic news outlet LifeSiteNews alleged that the drugs used to treat gender dysphoria in some transgender children are linked to “thousands” of deaths.

“The story went viral on right-wing news websites such as the Christian Postand the Daily Wire. According to CrowdTangle, a social media metric platform, these posts — including shares by Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiroand commentator Matt Walsh— are currently some of the top performing LGBTQ-related content on Facebook and Twitter.

“The problem is: the “thousands” of people who die while taking these drugs are likely the terminally ill cancer patients who receive hormone blockers to fight hormone-sensitive cancers, like prostate cancer, according to experts.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/viral-fake-news-story-linked-trans-healthcare-thousands-deaths-n1059831

Presentation by the WPATH Standards of Care 8 Child Chapter Working Group

On September 7, 2019, members of the Standards of Care Version 8 - Child Chapter Working Group delivered a presentation at the US Professional Association of Transgender Health conference in Washington DC. This presentation outlined a significant move toward far more affirming philosophies of care, which will appear in the upcoming SOC V8.

Find more information on Affirmative Care for transgender and gender noxnbinary youth and adolescents at our website: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And follow us on Facebook for regular updates: @gdaffirmative

As reported by community rapporteur Lotus Đào, and Dr. Asa Radix, Co-Chair of the SOC8 Review Committee, member of the Board of Directors of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health and the US Professional Association of Transgender Health:

On September 7th, 2019, members of the WPATH Standards of Care 8.0 Child Chapter Working Group presented on "Prepubescent Gender Diversity: Complexities and Recommendations." Presenters opened by sharing the working group's process and naming the complexity of working within a global context in an specialty with few expertise. Following a brief research summary, presenters established a foundation of child gender diversity as an expected aspect of general human diversity, rather than a pathology.

Furthermore, gender identity should not be conflated with gender expression. In fact, research indicates that many young children exhibiting extensive gender expansive behavior while feeling cohesive with their gender identity are likely to evolve to be gay or queer by adolescence, not transgender. In addition, gender identity is sometimes static, and sometimes fluid. Some children know from a very young age who they are and their gender identity is static throughout their lifetime. For other children, their gender identity may change over time. Presenters encouraged providers and community members to practice respect and sensitivity in honoring children where they are at and releasing the cultured need to predict a child's gender identity and presentation. In regards to the mental health provider's role in working with gender expansive children, presenters emphasized that gender expansive children should not be required to be in therapy. However, guidance from mental health providers are often helpful, especially if there are external stressors (family, school, region) or the child is interested in medical treatment.

The presenters provided recommendations for providers around advocacy, including educating and supporting gender diversity is expected and not pathological; acknowledging and addressing privilege and frequent intentional and/or unintentional negating of gender diverse experience; working in partnership with schools and childcare programs to sensitive educational providers to importance of gender affirmative practices to promote curricula; and more.

Presenters shared a much anticipated report of the SOC 8 Core Competency Recommendations, which are not finalized, including compenents on Training/Credentials, Gender Development, Child/Family Mental Health, Assessment, Therapuetic Interventions, Autism and Gender, Research Knowledge and Continuing Education. Ultimately, presenters urged attendees to promote gender literacy with gender expansive children, including identifying oppressive and violent environmental messaging around gender and critically examine whether or not it is authentic. Furthermore, presenters recommended providers to not fixate on pathology or force "transgender" onto gender expansive children, but to incorporate "play" and "fun" as important aspects of working with children.

Scientific American: Stop Using Phony Science to Justify Transphobia

An important overview and piece advocating for inclusivity from the prominent scientific journal Scientific American.

Published: June 13, 2019. Author Simón(e) D Sun.

“While this is a small overview, the science is clear and conclusive: sex is not binary, transgender people are real. It is time that we acknowledge this. Defining a person’s sex identity using decontextualized “facts” is unscientific and dehumanizing. The trans experience provides essential insights into the science of sex and scientifically demonstrates that uncommon and atypical phenomena are vital for a successful living system. Even the scientific endeavor itself is quantifiably better when it is more inclusive and diverse. So, no matter what a pundit, politician or internet troll may say, trans people are an indispensable part of our living reality.”

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/stop-using-phony-science-to-justify-transphobia/?fbclid=IwAR1ldAXMA8U8YMKN6HJw6eHNqKmpRMXfH8G2cbtkzx6JP4w2iwrV09dDNRs

Getting Your Health Care Covered: a Guide for Transgender People

Not research, but a resource that could be quite useful in helping people access care… and we know that the ability to access care has a dramatic and positive effect on outcomes.

"Getting your insurance to cover the health care you need can be difficult. The good news is that it should be getting easier. Many insurance plans have gotten rid of exclusions that single out transgender people, and trans people are protected from public and private insurance discrimination under federal law and state laws, including in Medicaid and Medicare."

"But some insurance plans still make it hard to get coverage for transition-related health care, especially surgical care. "

"The most important thing to remember is that your insurance should cover transition-related care. However, you may need to show your insurance company why the treatment you need is medically necessary for you, with letters from your health care providers."

"If you are denied coverage or if your plan has an exclusion, you may also need to explain to your insurance company or employer why it is illegal discrimination to exclude medically necessary transition-related care."

"Use this guide to help you navigate the coverage process."

https://transequality.org/health-coverage-guide?fbclid=IwAR0AzX8f9kkSsK3ClNYdWBiL204Q5Ladsn-mZgkvgyF-8GLkhsUbJpsObSs