For the first time in Australia, the Independence Committee considers whether Medicare should support funds for gender repayment surgery for trans 18 years of age.
Gender supervision surgery is a surgical procedure that helps people and gender diversity people help to match their bodies. for example, Double breast resection You can make a masculine chest.
If you use a better gender alignment (sometimes called “joint”), transformers can feel like themselves. Evidence shows that it is important profit Body image, welfare, Quality of life and Mental health.
Not all transformers I want surgery (or Hormonal therapy). However, those who can afford personal health insurance through the new Medicare items can receive up to 75%rebates for specific procedures. Surgery is not available in the current public system.
The Medical Service Advisory Committee is currently considering Application Australian Plastic Surgery Association for about 30 new Medicare items. Some author of this article was part of the group that supported the application preparation. The committee will evaluate whether the item is effective and the value of money.
but, Early this month The committee said more evidence is needed before making a decision on funds. Specifically, surgery is looking for more information on long -term effects on transformed transplants.
What is needed for gender management surgery?
The procedure may include chests, genitals, faces and voice surgery. They can be complicated and require multiple tasks.
for example, phalloplasty It is a procedure for creating penis using tissue in arms, legs or abdomen. You can include a number of separate procedures, such as forming genitals, allowing urination while standing, and creating scrotums.
Each surgery has a long recovery recovery, and you may need to take a vacation and/or care at work. Like all surgery, gender management surgery is the following risk. Epidemic,,, Blood clots or Pity.
We have no data on the number of people with gender verification procedures in Australia. But US research The average age of the first surgery 29.
guideline Transgender Health World Expert Associations do not recommend gender -induced surgery before the age of 16.
Why do people have gender supervision surgery?
The positive impact on the mental health and welfare of the transformers significant.
For many transformers, simply leaving a house can be called as a wrong name or pronoun, treated unfairly, or faced violence. Australian research The show faced discrimination when pursuing employment, and more than 60% experienced linguistic abuse.
The following surgery Face feminization -It is reconstructed by reconstructing eyebrows or jaw bones to create a more feminine appearance.
If you have surgery, you can reduce pain inconsistency It increases between someone’s body and gender (gender disorder) faith Help people mix. This can improve physical safety Reduce harassment.
Surgery is also related to low Suicide. On the contrary, if you can’t access surgery, the risk increases. Suicide And limit Social participation Including employment.
This is not only a matter of choice, but also important Equity problem.
How do people pay for surgery now?
The approach to Australia’s surgery still remains extreme. difficult Because of ~ expenseLack of surgeon, there is no public hospital service. This means that there is Significant demand.
For example, a study in Australia Establish When 63%of the transformers were born, they recorded men, but only 6%had facial feminization surgery. Trans people Desire Although it is a gender supervisor, it is still 71% more likely to report suicide attempts.
Currently, most Australians pay their own burden. Overseas travel To undergo surgery costs $ 20,000 to $ 100,000 or more.
Some people are desperate to approach surgery, so their drainage old age. This can increase the financial anxiety of those who are already risky. Economic disadvantage.
Surgery costs also forget people, such as health foods and social connections, and add to health risks.
Do people regret surgery?
Medical Services Advisory Committe admitted to an unprecedented demand for subsidized gender -induced surgery. But after the procedure, we demanded more powerful evidence, including regret rates.
Contrary to the general misunderstandingRegret is very rare. Less than 1% of people decided that it was a wrong choice for gender supervision surgery, and even less requested surgery to return the body to (so -called ”.decomposition“).
According to some studies, the proportion of those who regret after surgery knee Operation (10%) or cancer Procedure (24%) than gender conversion surgery.
Like all surgery, good information is in advance and Shared decision Improves between the patient and the health care team content And decrease regret.
So what should we still consider?
There was more than that 2,700 Public submission of more than 92% review of public funds. Evidence emphasizes low Regret rate After surgery Mental health.
Medical Service Advisory Committee I asked for additional work In two stages.
The first step is to evaluate the evidence of the clinical outcome to understand.
- How international guideline You can apply in Australia
- Long -term advantage of surgery
- Complications due to surgery such as urology problems or infection
- The best way to support people before and after surgery.
If the committee determines that surgery is helpful and safe, the second stage will be evaluated whether Medicare’s money is the value of money. This will increase the cost of surgical subsidies for profits such as better mental health, reduction of suicide risks and participation in manpower.
What happens next time
At least one year decision is not expected. If it is approved, the new medical benefit system item means Medicare rebate for surgery of gender burden, but some of the costs will still remain.
Medicare rebates does not remove all barriers, such as lack of surgery in a public hospital. But as part of required health care, it is a valuable first step to recognize sexual surgery, and life can be dependent on it.
