In shift, Medicare would pay for sex-change operations

The Washington Examiner ^ | March 29, 2013 | Paul Bedard

[mykroar]

For the first time since 1981, when it dubbed sex-change operations "experimental," Medicare has opened the door to covering transexual operations, adding to the growing list of operations that would be allowed under Obamacare.

Acting on a new request, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it is starting a new analysis that could lift the spending ban for sex-change operations with a goal of making a decision two days after Christmas and on the eve of Obamacare kicking in January 1.

A 30-day public comment period just opened on the proposed "National Coverage Determination."

"Surgical Treatment for Gender Identity Disorder, formerly referred to as transsexual surgery in 140.3, is currently noncovered under the Medicare Part A and Part B programs. The existing policy, which became effective in 1981, states that transsexual surgery is considered experimental," said the notice just posted on the CMS.gov site.

[mykroar]

Thankfully we are so flush with cash we can throw money away on deginerates. /sarc

[a fool in paradise]

Presently I have no sex. Will the gub’mint buy me some?

[Opinionated Blowhard]

This is why spending has to be cut. Any government program, no matter how well intentioned, is perverted into something foul. Medicare should be cut back to pay for a small group of clearly necessary services and nothing else. Its not just these sex change operations that are at issue. You seek commercials on TV where pretty much anyone can get a mobilized wheelchair that is fitted out like a Rolls Royce and the commercial tells you that Medicare will pay for it. All this crap needs to be cut out.

[a fool in paradise]

Will the government be so willing to buy breast implants and plastic surgery for women who wish they had more womanly sex appeal?

Discrimination in favor of the gay lobby. Yet again.

[Iron Munro]

The Obamacare Death Panel won’t approve a hip replacement for Grandma because the cost/benefit ratio doesn’t meet Obamacare requirements.

But mentally ill, sexual perverts can have tremendously expensive sex change operations on the taxpayers dime?

This isn’t government incompetence - it is part of the intentional and ongoing effort by liberals to use our own money to finance the destruction of our own culture.

[no-to-illegals]

I think a picture might do some good here Laz.

[crusty old prospector]

I am tired of paying for my own herbal enhancers that I heard about on the radio. I want the government to start buying by Ageless Male.

[crusty old prospector]

I am tired of paying for my own herbal enhancers that I heard about on the radio. I want the government to start buying my Ageless Male. This crap really works. Sorry about the double. Fat fingers on fone.

[Rusty0604]

We can’t be outdone by the UK where they paid for a model’s breast implants while people in the hospital are starving to death.

[sodpoodle]

Considering that Medicare eligibility is age 65, in the immortal words of Hillary Clinton: “What difference does it make?”

Of course, these confused people are probably already claiming SS disability benefits and eligible for Medicare after 2 years of their ‘debilitating condition’.

IMHO, after age 65, gender confusion should be assigned to senile dementia and treated with aspirin.

[Veto!]

OK, so when I’m turned down for a life-saving operation, I can at least have a sex-change surgery? Let me think about that....

[Our man in washington]

So you’re a guy who likes hairdressing or a gal who likes fixing motorcycles. Enjoy your hobbies and accept that God made you a little different than what is common for your gender. Doesn’t mean you have to go mutilating yourself.

[Tau Food]

How can people read a story like this and go on believing that we should continue operating a Medicare system, It should be completely terminated now, not ten years from now.

[Venturer]

An older person needing long term care may have a problem, but a mentally ill faggot who wants his crank cut off will have no trouble.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us ...

[Sooth2222]

"Considering that Medicare eligibility is age 65, in the immortal words of Hillary Clinton: “What difference does it make?”"

That was my first thought, too -- but from the Medicare.gov website, "if you aren’t yet 65, you might also qualify for coverage if you have a disability or with End-Stage Renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant)"

"Disabled people who are approved for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits will receive Medicare". So as I read it, if someone is disabled -- perhaps because he/she is crazy, he/she is now eligible for a free sex change operation! Ain't America great!

[homegroan]

When Medicare approves a procedure/service, that approval makes it’s way into all other insurance companies. Medicare pretty much sets the standard and makes the rules.

So even though they may not actually pay for that many sex operations for seniors (except of course for the disabled covered by Medicare, who can’t work because they can’t function in a man’s body-or whatever/sarc), by ‘approving’ coverage, they are opening the door for all other insurers, including Medicaid/Obamacare to pay for this procedure.

[GeronL]

didn’t Obama just cut Medicare by $700 billion over 10 years?

[sodpoodle]

Of course this ‘benefit’ is probably already in Obamacare - so insurance companies will have no input in what they are forced to cover.

As you point out HG, Medicare is just a test drive.

[Eagles6]

Affirmatively participating in someone's delusion will not cure their mental illness.

Mutilating a healthy body will also not cure mental illness.