The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund commends New York Attorney General General Eric T. Schneiderman for launching a new initiative to ensure that transgender New Yorkers have equal access to medical care throughout the state. The initiative will provide programming to hospitals and medical centers on the legal requirements for treating transgender people in New York and best practices in providing care to this patient population.
In announcing the initiative, Attorney General Schneiderman said:
“My office is committed to ensuring equal and respectful access to medical care for all New Yorkers, regardless of their gender identity. We are proud to partner with hospitals and health care centers across New York State to help educate and raise awareness around the specific needs and challenges transgender individuals face when seeking basic medical care.”
Statement from TLDEF Executive Director Michael Silverman
“We applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for recognising the medical needs of transgender people in New York and working to ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity when accessing care at hospitals and medical centers throughout the state.
“Transgender people face enormous discrimination within the health care system. They are often humiliated, degraded, and refused medical care, simply for being who they are. Many avoid seeking care altogether. No one should be subjected to health care discrimination for being transgender.
“This new initiative is welcome news. We thank the Attorney General for taking this important step towards eliminating health care disparities for transgender New Yorkers.”