Big Win for Transgender Oregonians with New Health Policy

WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. 22, 2014 —The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is celebrating Oregon’s new policy for transgender people enrolled in the state’s health plan. The policy change takes effect next year and will allow transgender people on the Oregon Health Plan to receive hormonal and surgical healthcare prescribed by their physician.

“Congratulations to the state of Oregon for closing many of the unfair loopholes that exist in our country’s healthcare system. This is a significant victory not just for transgender Oregonians but also for all transgender Americans who are denied access to healthcare and LGBTQ people working to end discrimination in the healthcare system.

“We know that ensuring access to affordable and culturally competent healthcare providers not only saves money, but most importantly, it also saves lives. By updating the state healthcare program’s guidelines, Oregon will make it possible for transgender people to access medically necessarily healthcare.”

— Rea Carey, Executive Directory, National Gay and Lesbian Force

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Media Contacts:
Mark Daley
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
(Office) 202.639.6325
(Cell) 202.379.8318
mdaley@thetaskforce.org

Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
(Office) 202.639.6306
(Cell) 213.842.7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org