Lawsuit asks state to pay for inmate's sex-change operation- What do you think?

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Chancie

I gotta say, I knew I would be sorry if I reread this thread.

Some of you are very politically conservative.

I certainly don't know as much as other members here about single payer health care

But I have to ask

In how many other so called civilized countries do people in need of medical care have to go without?

If I am politically "conservative" on this one- so be it, I am liberal, progressive, conservative and moderate when I look at issues depending on what is represented. This prisoner should get usual and customary health care such as annual physicals and if she developed a life threatening condition such as cancer, of course she should get medical care. Again, as in my first post, most trans people I know struggle to save for surgeries as well as hormone treatment- as well as foot the bill for counseling that they are required to have. Until or unless EVERY transgendered person is covered for medical care under a health plan in the US, I cannot support my state paying for this prisoner's. Also, the educational system in CA is a mess and in need of funds and in this Tea Party (yes, they are here in CA, too) environment, we are facing more cuts in education- even under a Democratic govenor.

I do and have supported single payer universal health care in the US for many years. So save the political stance bashing. I was quite upset with Obama not pushing for a public option during the health care reform act debate and votes- especially since at that time there was a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress.

This prisoner will be kept as safe as any other one in this facility and deserves no more than the other inmates. CA prisons provide fairly healthcare including eye care and dental. We have paid for organ transplants for prisoners as well.

Now, if you want to talk about services for minors that are in the criminal system that are serving for non-violent offenses and going through gender identity crises- I would support not only services within the system, but on going work for a time when released so that they are hooked up with support services and get care. I feel strongly that minors within our criminal justice systems could be "rehabilitated" and we do not deal effectively with how we could get them in more positive directions outside of our systems.