The University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus got a little more trans-friendly on Feb. 1. The University Health Center opened a new clinic geared toward transgender and non-binary students, staff and faculty. After years of requests for the clinic, Dr. Jean Amoura will begin treatment for transgender patients at the university as an extension of her Nebraska Medicine practice in Omaha.

With easy access to a safe, affordable and knowledgeable clinic, trans students, faculty, and staff are now able to focus more on education, rather than whether or not they will have the care they need. It eliminates a concerning barrier, and it is validating for these individuals to have their needs recognized.

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the amount of resources and services available to queer and trans individuals on campus. This includes other health services like LGBT-friendly counseling, with the option to see someone who has specialization in LGBT issues. There are also LGBT-centric social and community resources and organizations such as Spectrum and The Change, the LGBTQA+ Resource Center, a growing number of gender-inclusive housing options and numerous gender-inclusive bathrooms scattered around campus. Finally, there are opportunities for allies and queer people to be educated about queer issues, and there is also an LGBT-geared mentor program. As the campus continues to become more diverse, these various services become even more vital.

The Transgender Care Clinic is yet another massive step toward a more welcoming environment for queer and trans individuals at UNL. This should be an example to not only the rest of the universities in the Nebraska system, but also to universities across the nation. Currently, only 75 of all American colleges and universities cover both hormone treatment and gender-affirming surgeries under student health insurance.

Across the country, it is already incredibly difficult to find healthcare professionals who know how to treat transgender patients. Unfortunately, some insurance providers do not cover trans-related health services, and with the threat of the Affordable Care Act being repealed, queer and transgender patients face the risk of having even fewer options.

In Nebraska specifically, some health insurance providers can legally exclude transgender-specific services. In the case of discrimination from private health insurance providers, there is no protection for trans and queer folks, and Nebraska Medicaid does not cover transgender-related healthcare.

According to a Movement Advancement Project report, Nebraska ranks number three for the worst state for gender identity related policies, ranking up the most negative points in the category of healthcare and safety. As a nation, 52 percent of the queer and transgender population lives without LGBT-inclusive health insurance.

With such disparities in these services across the nation, and particularly in Nebraskas healthcare, the transgender health clinic on campus is a victory for some. While helping transgender Nebraskans, it also provides reliable care to out-of-state students who may or may not have inclusive healthcare in their home state. This simplifies the difficult process of finding a healthcare provider and professional willing to cover said treatments, while aiming to protect the wellbeing of those who use or need this type of care.

The next step for Nebraska as a state is to follow the footsteps of the university. With trans people experiencing dishearteningly high rates of depression, attempts of suicide and substance abuse, the need for healthcare designed for transgender people is always growing. Queer and trans people deserve to receive the healthcare they need. Ideally, Nebraska will take steps to provide that in the future.

Ellie Bruckner is a sophomore global studies major. Reach her at opinion@dailynebraskan.com or via @DNOpinion.

See the article here:
BRUCKNER: UNL a national model for trans, LGBT care - Daily Nebraskan

Comments are closed.