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about Investment Properties!
H. D wayne D avis
R ealty T kust
CROUP
1220 \\Y Lovejoy. Suite 130 • Portland. OR 0~200
an undisputed role in contributing toward
favorable outcomes, and comprises Real Life
Experience, legal name and sex change on
identity documents, as well as medically nec
essary hormone treatment, counseling, psy
chotherapy and other medical procedures,”
W PATH wrote.
“The medical procedures attendant to sex
reassignment are not cosmetic’ or ‘elective’ or
for the mere convenience of the patient. These
reconstructive procedures are not optional in
any meaningful sense, but are understood to
be medically necessary for the treatment of
the diagnosed condition.”
One transgender city employee spoke to
the issue of medical necessity from a personal
perspective, via an anonymous statement read
aloud during the meeting. He explained that
the specific exclusion of medically necessary
care for transgender people not only prevented
him from using his health benefits to cover
the cost of surgery, but also barred him from
using his flexible spending account, due to
similar exclusions in the federal tax system.
“It is important to note that trans-related
care is a treatment process that involves the
support and approval of a team of medical
professionals,” the employee wrote. “I can also
tell you that these services are absolutely vital
to maintain a healthy, productive life. I am
lucky enough that I was in a position to attain
this care on my own. My ability to get this
care enabled me to thrive as a person and
function more effectively in my job. But not
every transgender city employee is this lucky.”
W hile some critics have expressed concern
about the potential cost to taxpayers, the
mayor and commissioners made clear that the
ultimate costs will be negligible, and a tiny
w w \ \ .Bridges lew TeamRTCi.com
Basic Rights Oregon’s Jeana Frazzini
(far right) was among those in
attendance at the June 8 Portland City
Council meeting.
percentage of the amount currently being
spent on the city’s health plan.
According to Adams, the city is setting
aside $32,302 to cover the cost of extending
coverage for sex reassignment surgery. That
figure is about .08 percent of the $41,615,000
the city expects to spend on its health care
plan for 2011-12. The mayor anticipates that
the actual cost to the city will be less than the
budgeted amount, as has been the case in
other jurisdictions.
“This is not about costs and benefits,” said
Promise King, executive director of the Ore
gon League of Minority Voters. “This is about
the sanctity of human life and respect for hu
man dignity. So we cannot sidestep that as we
talk about policy.”
Commissioner Dan Saltzman agreed that
the price tag is not the most important issue.
After hearing testimony about the high rate
of suicide among transgender people, he said
the cost is worth the benefits.
“This is going to be one of my proudest
legacies: helping people to live as who they are
in all aspects,” Saltzman said. “This is a small
price to pay to help people live better lives.”
Following the city council’s unanimous
vote, Adams put down his gavel and those
gathered in support rose to their feet and
cheered.
“I cried. I had emotion. I was nervous,” at
tendee Wyatt Riott confessed after the deci
sion. “It’s also just exciting to see people come
out for this. «10!
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503-319-4057
/
bfieiiy C asteel, Principal Broker
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Ormdtjrra
Serving You Since l l) iS
Kristin C asteel, Licensed Assistant
Cell (503) 957-7705
Office (503) 297-2523
shellycasteel@yahoo.com
oregonrealty.com/shellyc
8552 SW Apple Way, Portland 97225
I-
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