Samuel Case, FISM News
The federal government is using tax dollars to offer transgender employees “gender-affirming” medical services as part of their health benefits package.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), made the benefits known in early October. In its “Federal Benefits Open Season” fact sheet, OPM said that the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program is “pleased to deliver enhanced health benefit offerings,” including “gender-affirming care and services,” according to reporting from the Post Millennial.
“OPM continues to focus on ways our carriers can improve access to gender-affirming care for transgender and gender diverse individuals,” the fact sheet says.
The treatments include those “for standard fertility preservation procedures for persons facing the possibility of iatrogenic infertility, including infertility associated with medical and surgical gender transition treatment.”
OPM says it plans to adopt “one or more recognized entities in order to guide evidence-based benefits coverage and medical policies,” among which it lists the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH).
The Post Millennial notes that WPATH has been the subject of controversy, having recently removed “minimum age recommendations for gender transitions to avoid legal ramifications for medical practitioners involved in the process of providing sex-change therapies and surgeries to minors.”
In July 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order for “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce,” directing OPM to “promote equitable healthcare coverage and services for enrolled LGBTQ+ employees.”
Transgender medical coverage has existed in previous administrations, according to a White House official, who told Fox News the Biden administration aims to match LGBTQ treatments offered by major private sector companies.
“The federal government strives to be competitive as an employer, and we are committed to providing important, comprehensive healthcare benefits to all federal employees, including LGBTQ+ employees,” the official said.
As of 2020, The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans estimates that 21% of employers offer transgender health benefits.