Trans people in Ontario are expected to have improved access to sex reassignment surgery by early 2016. The Government of Ontario has announced changes to the Health Insurance Act that will allow all qualified health professionals to refer patients for sex reassignment surgery. Currently, trans people require a referral for insured surgery from the Gender Identity Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto which has resulted in significant barriers to accessing the surgery for some individuals. The legislative changes are currently open to consultation.
Due to the social determinants of health and discrimination, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) people in Ontario may be more likely to experience poor mental health and in some cases, mental health conditions. Improving access to health services, including gender reassignment surgery, is critical to addressing the impacts of discrimination and social determinants of health and mental health.
For more information please see our online fact sheet on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer People and Mental Health and read the story from the Ontario government website.