As a native New Yorker, I was thrilled when last month Governor Cuomo announced plans for an executive order that prohibits discrimination against transgender people. This executive order would apply to issues such as employment and housing, expand existing anti-discrimination protections to include gender identity, transgender status and gender dysphoria. There have also been advancements involving the protection of transgender people from discrimination in health care settings. Just two months ago, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed legislation that clarifies protection for transgender individuals from discrimination by health care providers and insurers. This legislation builds on a portion of the Affordable Care Act in order to ensure that patients are not treated unjustly due to their gender identity.
The question remains: Why is government action even necessary?
Read the full article published in In-Training Magazine
Tehreem Rehman, MD MPH 