The Doctor Will See You Now…

But in some states that is almost impossible, many doctors refuse to treat us, they have all types of excuses but it all comes down to bias.

In Georgia’s Bible Belt, health care for transgender people is often out of reach
The Macon Telegraph
By Samantha Max
March 18, 2019

MACON, GA.
McPherson Newell lives in limbo.

The sophomore in college has known since he was a little kid that he didn’t feel comfortable in his own body. He’d get upset when friends told him he couldn’t play the boy character in games and never felt comfortable dressing as others expected him to.
[…]
Accessing health care has proved one of the most difficult obstacles yet.

Newell’s student insurance covers primary care and weekly mental health therapy sessions at the Macon Counseling and Psychological Services center, but he hasn’t found any doctors in Middle Georgia who specialize in care for transgender patients. Most of the resources are in Atlanta, Newell said, and he doesn’t have a car to drive there.

Finding a trans friendly healthcare provider in the top question that I get asked. Even in a blue state it can be hard to a provider.

About a quarter of transgender individuals in Georgia chose not to see a doctor when they needed treatment out of fear of discrimination, according to the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Nearly half avoided the doctor’s office because they could not afford it, the survey found.

Lack of access to health care could pose a dire risk, especially for a population that suffers disproportionately high rates of mental illness.

Can you imagine what it must be like to live in a conservative state where they shun anyone who is different from them?

“Social stigma, discrimination, bigotry are definitely issues that make it challenging for folks to seek services in traditional health care systems,” Jackson said. “So, if you are going into a space to get your care needs met and you’re immediately misgendered or you notice people’s, like, physical discomfort when you come into the room, that’s not a place where you want to stay and get care.”

It can be especially difficult for transgender individuals to access health care in Georgia.

So this afternoon and every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon I am at the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective where I answer question about transitioning, healthcare, and where to find LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare providers.

For me I have never had any problems with healthcare providers, I don’t think I am an exception but rather more providers are trans and LGB&Q friendly and their training now includes at the very least something about LGBTQ+ patients. Next month I will be on a LGBTQ+ panel for 1^st year med students. Also next month I have a meeting on how to make Long Term Care facilities more inclusive, including LGBTQ+ patients.

Change is coming at least to blue states.