Gender-affirming surgery is an essential part of the medical treatment for transgender individuals who identify as male or female.
This procedure has been under scrutiny lately due to its rising costs and lack of coverage. This raises the question of whether the issue of class plays a significant role in determining who can afford this operation. In this article, we will discuss how class intersects with gender identity and how it impacts access to gender-affirming surgery.
Class as a social construct
Class refers to the socioeconomic status of people based on their income level, education, job position, and other factors. It is a concept that defines who gets what, when, where, why, and how much they get it. The term "class" is usually used interchangeably with "social class," which describes the division of society into upper-middle, middle, lower-middle, working, and poor classes. People from these different backgrounds have varying levels of access to resources such as healthcare, employment, housing, and education.
Impact on access to surgery
Class affects access to gender-affirming surgeries because people from low-income groups are less likely to be able to afford them. Surgical procedures like breast removal (top surgery), genital reconstruction, facial contouring, and hormone therapy require expensive treatments, making them unaffordable to many people. As a result, some transgender individuals may not feel comfortable living in their body, leading to depression, anxiety, and even self-harm.
Cost of surgery
Gender-affirming surgeries cost anywhere between $5,0000 and $80,0000 or more depending on the procedure involved. This price includes medical tests, anesthesia fees, hospital stays, postoperative care, medications, and follow-up visits with doctors. Most insurance companies cover only part of these costs, leaving patients with large out-of-pocket expenses.
Some states ban publicly funded health plans from covering gender-affirming surgeries for transgender individuals, further limiting access to treatment.
Coverage by insurance companies
Insurance coverage plays a significant role in determining who can get gender-affirming surgeries. Some insurers provide partial coverage for these procedures, while others exclude them entirely.
Private insurance policies often have different rules about what is covered and how much they will pay towards surgery expenses. Therefore, it's crucial to research your plan before choosing a provider or scheduling an appointment.
Gender dysphoria as a diagnosis
Some countries recognize gender dysphoria as a legitimate condition that warrants gender reassignment surgery under certain circumstances. In contrast, other nations consider it a mental disorder requiring psychiatric evaluation before approval. These regulations create additional barriers to accessing surgical treatments because people must prove their need beyond simply identifying as transgender.
Cultural attitudes towards transgenderism
Cultural attitudes also play a role in determining whether someone can receive gender-affirming surgeries. Transgender individuals are often stigmatized and discriminated against in many societies, leading to reduced support and understanding from family members and friends. The lack of acceptance leads to social isolation, increased stress levels, and fewer job opportunities, making it difficult to afford medical treatments like surgery.
Class intersects with gender identity to affect access to gender-affirming surgery. People from low-income groups may struggle to afford this procedure due to its high costs, which can lead to depression and anxiety if unaddressed. Insurance companies have varying policies regarding coverage for these surgeries, limiting some individuals from receiving the care they need.
Cultural attitudes towards transgenderism contribute to limited access by restricting resources such as employment opportunities.
There is hope for change through advocacy efforts targeting insurance companies and governmental bodies responsible for healthcare policy.
How does intersection with class affect access to gender-affirming surgeries?
Intersectionality refers to the overlap between multiple identities such as race, gender, sexuality, social status, and socioeconomic status that influences an individual's experience of oppression or privilege. Access to healthcare services including gender-affirming surgeries is often affected by these intersections and can lead to disparities in care among marginalized groups (Peters et al. , 2019).