Is Gender re-assignment an elective procedure as is plastic surgery for augmentation or tummy tuck?

2014-09-24T17:12:43-04:00

I have my own personal thoughts on this.... Came into the military male, can leave the military male (after doing time for committing a crime). Is the military responsible to assist in gender re-assignement? Also, do you think that a lawsuit will sway the decission either way?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/23/justice/chelsea-manning-lawsuit/index.html?hpt=hp_t5

Chelsea Manning sues for transgender medical treatment - CNN.com

Chelsea Manning, convicted of espionage, filed a lawsuit claiming she "has been denied access to medically necessary treatment" for her gender disorder.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 24 at 2014 6:04 PM

2014-09-24T18:04:35-04:00

That is just plain out of hand. If the guy wants to get gender reassignment surgery, hey, to each his own. I could care less. What I DO care about is who is paying for it, because I'm sure not!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 24 at 2014 6:44 PM

2014-09-24T18:44:09-04:00

Screw Him/Her/It. Why should we the people pay for this butthead before or AFTER he leaked secrets. Put him in prison and he can get "treated like a lady" all he wants w/o the operation.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 24 at 2014 7:28 PM

2014-09-24T19:28:16-04:00

Did the DOD accept the lowest bidder's contract to perform the surgery? I know there are plenty of people who would rip them off for free.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2014 7:56 PM

2014-09-24T19:56:46-04:00

I believe that ultimately, Chelsea Manning will receive transgender medical treatment on the government's dime.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 10:01 PM

2015-06-06T22:01:57-04:00

I do believe that sex reassignment surgery (SRS) is elective and should be treated as such (just like breast augmentation, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty etc.). Therefore-if and when it becomes "legal" to be transgender in the military-I think that it should be authorized in a similar fashion as most other elective procedures (i.e. must have commander's approval, must not be performed during a timeframe that interferes with a member's deployment readiness during their assigned cycle, must be paid for out-of-pocket, etc.). This is not to be confused with procedures deemed medically necessary, such as the case with reconstructive surgeries after disfigurement due to disease or trauma. Additionally, I believe that SRS requires a psychological evaluation and a minimum 1 year of counseling prior to the procedure...which should probably be an allowable cost, as it is under the umbrella of mental health care.

With that said, I do NOT believe that prisoners should be entitled to have any elective surgical procedures done or initiate hormone therapy! That is asinine that it would even be considered. If Chelsea Manning was on Tricare-covered/MTF approved hormone therapy prior to her sentencing/incarceration, then she should be allowed to continue with hormone therapy-but initiating hormone therapy and/or SRS while incarcerated gets a resounding NO from me.