NC health plan to cover sex changes, if medically necessary, in 2017

RALEIGH -- A recent change to the state health plan will allow coverage of gender-changing treatments, including sex change transition surgery and hormone therapy, if they are deemed medically necessary.

While some advocates of gay and transgender rights welcome the move, the incoming state treasurer isn’t happy about it. In particular, Dale Folwell, a Republican who will take office in January, doesn’t like the anticipated cost to taxpayers.

“I pledged to the people of North Carolina that we would reduce the state health plan’s 32 billion dollar debt, provide a more affordable family premium especially for our lowest paid employees and provide transparency to the taxpayers,” Folwell said in an email. “The provision to pay for sex change operations does none of those three things.”

The State Treasurer’s Office oversees the health plan for state employees.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/health-care/article119509213.html