Increasing Access to Gender-Affirming Health Care for Homeless/Marginally Housed Individuals Within the Context of Insurance Reform

Recent changes in Medicare have resulted in increased access to medical/surgical services for transgender-identified individuals. These changes have been affirming for many members of this community who are finally able to obtain interventions that result in improved quality of life.  However, homeless /marginally housed transgender individuals cannot necessarily take advantage of this increased access to care, particularly access to surgical interventions. At BHCHP, we engage the support of our respite facility to help these patients successfully access  gender-affirming surgical procedures.  The process of involving respite in these patients' care  includes staff training/education and the development of a gender-affirming respite policy.