#Medical Discrimination

[gwydionmisha]

#Transgender Women #HIV infections #CDC #Medical Discrimination #News

[inquisitivetree]

You know what makes me so angry. The fact that there are so many disabled people out there who are noted as “refused treatment” because the medical professionals that were supposed to help them were unwelcoming, condescending, or actively harmful to them. Or because they knew that the treatment being offered wasn’t what they needed because they had either tried it already (and weren’t listened to when they said that) or it was a bare mininum/half-assed treatment idea from a doctor who doesn’t care enough to do any proper investigating.

#disability #disability pride month #medical discrimination #ableism

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Queer people are dying because of persisting discrimination -- and it's not always blatant or aggressive, according to LGBTQ2S+ advocacy group Fondation Émergence. "This fear of living through discrimination and not being treated respectfully prevents LGBTQ+ people from getting the help they need," explains Olivia Baker, a program manager with the foundation. "They might delay interventions, and they might be reluctant also to disclose their sexual orientation and gender identity when it might be important for the medical professional to know that." Fondation Émergence educates, informs and sensitizes people to the lived experiences of those who identify with a broad range of sexual orientations. It says there's a long way to go before LGBTQ2S+ people can feel safe in the presence of a doctor, and studies have proven that phobia reduces the quality and length of their lives.

Continue Reading

Tagging @politicsofcanada

#cdnpoli #canada #canadian politics #canadian news #quebec #lgbtqia+ #intersex #discrimination #medical discrimination #lgbt healthcare #transphobia #homophobia

[magnetothemagnificent]

As medical discrimination against LGBTQ+ people is becoming more normalized and even legal in the US, I think we should take inspiration from Hatzallah, the Jewish EMT organization, and establish our own independent EMT services around the country that we can call in medical emergencies. In cases that don't require hospitalization, we can have EMTs that we know will respect us treat us, and in cases that require hospitalization, we can have volunteers who will be medical advocates for us.

#homophobia #transphobia #medical discrimination #us politics #us issues #current events

[a-little-revolution]

Hi - I'm a relatively new follower, but I love the variety in what you put out.

I work in healthcare and regularly give talks on very basic disability concepts (why eugenics is wrong, how to get AAC access in hospitals, shut the hell up about parents' rights, don't use slurs in educational talks, etc.).

Is there anything you'd recommend specifically for doctors, nurses, and other care providers in terms of a) not creating problems, and b) actually providing quality healthcare for little people? Assume the target audience knows nothing.

Hello! Welcome!! Thank you so much, I try ^^

I gave a talk a while ago on trans inclusive healthcare, and included a lot of disability related things since there's plenty of intersection. As I'm sure you know, the medical system still has a long way to go when it comes to treating disabled folk (and frankly anyone who isn't a thin, white, cishet male).

With dwarfism specifically, the learning curve is astronomical - here's my thoughts: (And note, I am someone who's had roughly fourteen surgeries, countless scans, and endless doctors visits - so I think I can call myself an expert lol)

The first thing is just establishing basic knowledge on dwarfism - how it presents in a person, how it affects mobility and range of motion, what the terminology is etc. Knowing the related conditions is vital as well - my Achondroplasia for instance comes with sleep apnea, respiratory conditions, arthritis, club foot, loose knees, etc. I'm often the expert on my own condition, but I shouldn't have to be relied on as a teacher in traumatic situations.

Make waiting rooms, doctor's offices, surgical rooms, etc. accessible to those bellow 5 feet! Most of the time I cannot get up on an exam table as they are too high and I am not provided a stool without making a special request. The same goes for xray tables, gurneys, etc. I cannot express the frustration of coming into every medical room and not being able to sit or lay down without assistance.

Respect and autonomy are big things that get missed - assumptions that my life isn't worth living, that my pain isn't real, that I don't participate in daily activities, that I don't have sex or want children etc. are just some of the misconceptions I come across with medical professionals and their assistants. Last year during and x-ray was the first time a medical professional ASKED before touching me.

For now this is what I can think of, I thank you for your patience as I do have CPTSD from my medical trauma. I've talked more on being a patient with dwarfism here! Hope this helps!

-Elliot (they/them)

#asks #medical #dwarfism #medical discrimination #dwarfism medical #disability #disability in hospitals

[fatliberation]

I just want to say I'm so glad i found your tumblr. I used to follow a couple fat acceptance tumblrs that just don't really post anymore, and was missing that in my life. I've been liking your posts all day. I know some ppl don't like that, but i hope you don't mind. I want to share it all with folks.

A question came to me while browsing. I'm going to need knee replacement surgery, but the ortho said they won't do surgery of you're over a certain bmi (in America, on medicaid). I don't know if that's just this particular surgeon, or if medicaid won't approve it because of my weight. Maybe a follower of yours might have some experience with navigating weight discriminating with medicaid?

Hey there! I don't mind at all, I'm so glad this blog fills that need!

It's likely the surgeon. Medicare and Medicaid do cover knee replacements, and so far I haven't been able to find anything that says the insurance has a BMI cutoff. Most surgeons won't operate on patients with a BMI over 35-40 because of "surgical complications, risk of infection and poor outcomes." (And, of course, a new University of Alberta study shows that losing weight before knee replacement surgery doesn’t lead to better outcomes for patients.) But I would still have a conversation with your doctor/surgeon to make sure that Medicaid does cover it. If anyone reading this has any relevant information to share, or resources on finding arthroplasty surgeons without BMI limits, please let me know!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with such a detrimental facet of weight discrimination, @enbycarp. It breaks my heart. You deserve treatment in the body that you're in TODAY. I sincerely hope you're able to get this surgery soon, but in the meantime, here's 6 Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery (really it's 5, cuz #2 is weight loss, so... ignore that one).

Related articles:

BMI Does Not Affect Outcomes in Knee-Replacement Surgery

BMI Cutoffs are Bad Medicine – High BMI Individuals Deserve Access to Total Knee Replacement Surgery

#tw medical #medical discrimination #weight discrimination #resources #inbox #fat liberation #fat acceptance #anti weight loss

[thoughtportal]

I often get asked how patients should best advocate for themselves in the doctors office. I love this video by @Dor_the_grayt that describes the concept of a differential diagnosis, which is essentially a list of the different problems that you may have as a patient. It’s one of the first things we learn in medical school and is an easy way to broaden a conversation with your physician/ to make sure that your concerns are heard.

1) Ask for the differential diagnosis is. 2) Ask how they ruled out the differential diagnosis. 3) Keep asking and let them get mad

#tiktok #doctors #doctor #medical #healthcare #medicine #medical discrimination

[brokenfoxproductions]

People: transphobia isn't a real world issue.

Me: I corrected a triage nurse on my name and pronouns today, and she screamed that "we aren't doing this" and that she "could call me whatever she wanted" before trying to kick me out and refusing me treatment.

I ended up just complaining to her supervisor and then leaving because I couldn't deal with it. I need a lithium level and kidney function done and I didn't get it done because of this. 🙃

#trans #transgender #transphobia #medical discrimination #discrimination #technically the hospital didn't deny me treatment #but they did say that I would have to wait longer if I stayed #they did not mention anything about firing her or writing her up they just said they would “talk to her” #wtf #like I've just been shaking the whole time since this happened like an hour ago I'm mad #chronic illness #bipolar disorder #actually bipolar #lithium #transmisandry #transandrophobia #also if anyone wants to ask or assume that I was rude #i just told her “I actually go by (name) and my pronouns are he or they it's in my chart” and she flipped shit #like I was just like 🤨😶😓 fucking seriously???? #lgbtqia #i hate Pennsylvania

[afriblaq]

Doctor Faces Massive Backlash After Saying This About His Black Patients

#youtube #medical discrimination #racism #tiktok

[ratten-man]

Things I look forward to bc of T

Tomorrow im making an appointment to see my family doctor to get my first t injection <3

This process has been so hard, financially, but also emotionally. Ive invested so much time and energy. Dealing with a medical system thats built to dehumanize me and fuck me over at the slightest misstep.

Soo to celebrate, im gonna make a personal list of things Im looking forward to when Ill have been on T for a while. (and also things im grateful for now)

Not having doctors accuse me of being a lesbian (Im dating a man)

Not having doctors ask whose the woman and whose the man

Not having doctors try to scare me off t bc what if i want kids (Ive never liked kids and will never have them)

Having my name changed

Having so many opportunities open up bc of name change

Having my voice drop and maybe finally liking it

Not having to deal with endless waiting lists anymore

Not having extreme anxiety about appointments

Not being clocked at all anymore

Being able to wear clothes I want, without hiding myself away in layers

Not fearing violence anymore

Blood relatives not recognizing me if we ever unfortunately cross paths

All the little and big physical changes

Being free to do as I please with so much less worry

Being a big hairy man like my dad was.

Embracing child me, who spent years hating and in anguish and torment, because we finally made it, were at peace now

#trans man #transgender #personal #transition #trans man positivity #tw dysphoria #medical system #the medical system sucks #medical discrimination

[selfhelpforghosts]

You deserve to have your medical concerns taken seriously.

This shouldn't be a controversial statement, but it's one that a lot of people (particularly AFAB people), including myself, have struggled with. Medical gaslighting is a real thing, as is discrimination based on any number of unrelated things that the doctor might see on your chart before they've even met you.

If you're at an appointment and don't feel that you're being taken seriously or listened to, you are not in the wrong for standing up for yourself. You are not being rude or unreasonable for asking that the medical professional treats you properly. Stand your ground and politely assert how you feel about the subject, and ask them to document their refusal in your chart if they refuse to treat or test you for anything. And if you feel REALLY disrespected, you are well within your rights to politely but firmly tell them that you are not willing to put up with being treated that way and they either need to do better or find someone else to help you. If they refuse, you can just leave. You don't have to stay until the end of an appointment if it's wholly unproductive, and I feel like a lot of people don't realize that. If you're concerned about having to check out or anything like you do at some offices, stop by the desk on your way out and explain - "I decided to end my appointment early because I felt that Dr. So-and-so was not treating me respectfully or working with me in any sort of productive way. Is there anything you need from me before I go?"

I know it can be scary to do this sort of thing. We're so often taught to avoid making waves and to just put up with discomfort in order to save the other person the trouble, but that's not fair to us. Our feelings matter, too. YOUR feelings matter. You're allowed to advocate for yourself.

And if you ever need support from someone, know that I have your back. I'm happy to answer any questions or tell personal stories about this sort of thing if anyone would like! Now go to your appointments and get yourself the treatment you deserve. I believe in you!

#mod pachimari #mental health #physical health #healthcare #medical gaslighting #medical discrimination #malpractice #self-advocating #chronically ill #chronic illness #spoonies #pots syndrome #hypermobile eds #doctors #recovery

[gwydionmisha]

#Blue Cross Blue Shield #Illinois #Gender-Affirming Care #Medical Discrimination #News

[decolonize-the-left]

For disability awareness month I'm gonna give y'all a run down of Cummings v Premier Rehab Keller

""The high court ruled {April 28, 2022} 6-3 against Jane Cummings, who is deaf and legally blind, determining that emotional distress from discrimination is insufficient harm to warrant a lawsuit under four federal civil rights laws.

Cummings sued after Premier Rehab Keller in Texas declined to provide her a sign language interpreter at her physical therapy appointments. The therapy provider said that Cummings could use notes, lip reading and gestures to communicate instead.

Cummings argued that Premier Rehab Keller discriminated against her on the basis of disability, violating the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Affordable Care Act, which apply to facilities that receive federal funds like the therapy provider does."

In addition to the Rehabilitation Act and the Affordable Care Act, the ruling applies to the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

In dissent, Justice Stephen G. Breyer noted that discrimination often harms in ways that are purely emotional.

However, a federal judge determined that Cummings’ only injuries were “humiliation, frustration and emotional distress” and indicated that the laws in question did not allow for the recovery of damages in such cases. A federal appeals court affirmed the ruling and a majority of the Supreme Court agreed."

source

What are the rights affected, exactly?

Rehabilitation Act of 1973:

requires affirmative action in employment by the federal government and by government contractors and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in federal employment, and in the employment practices of federal contractors

The Affordable Care Act:

To provide essential health benefits as ambulatory patient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and pediatric services, including oral and vision care

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972:

requires that no person be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex under “any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal funds or other Federal financial assistance.

What does that mean?

Lack to provide equal accessibility is no longer ableism under federal law and

Intentional inaccessibility discrimination is okay so long as there is no material or physical affect

#disability awareness month #disability rights #accessibility rights #discrimination rights #human rights #supreme court #cummings v premier rehab keller #ableism #racism #homophobia #transphobia #medical discrimination #xenophobia #sexism #misogyny #feminism #classism #religious prejudice #lgbt rights #trans rights #racial equality #age discrimination #gender discrimination #native rights #ndn #mutual aid #roe v wade #joe biden #current events

[allthecanadianpolitics]

An Alberta doctor says Premier Danielle Smith will struggle to attract trans specialists to the province if her other policies restricting health-care options for trans youth are made law. Dr. Kate Greenaway, a trans health-care specialist and medical director of the Foria Clinic, is part of a growing number of medical professionals calling on the UCP to scrap the proposed legislation. Greenaway said restricting health care for trans and non-binary youth will create a "culture of fear and discrimination" that will act as a barrier to attracting specialists or even keeping the few that already practise here.

Continue Reading

Tagging @politicsofcanada @abpoli

#cdnpoli #canada #canadian politics #canadian news #alberta #trans healthcare #trans health #transphobia #medical discrimination #lgbtqia+

[hungercityhellhound]

I have debated for months about posting this or not. It's very personal but I am actually TIRED of people calling me out and acting as if I didn't know what I was talking about.

I want to address something about my top surgery posts, specifically the people who insist I am exaggerating or not understanding when I say there was a “biased against single people receiving surgery” or continually saying that doctors weren't being biased or whatever. I wanted to elaborate a bit on my situation and experience, both so people understand and if someone else runs into this issue that they have the confidence to ensure they receive care.

(The rest of this deals with discrimination, medical procedures, and cancer discussion. Read at your own discretion.)

A bit of background first. I was comfortable binding and after more than a year talking with a therapist had come to the point where, for many reasons, I was not interested in surgical/medical aspects of transitioning. Around that time my mother developed aggressive, stage four cancer. It was determined that it was related to a genetic mutation, several really, so I went off and got genetic testing. I did not have the mutations my mother had but I do have two others related to breast cancer, one is a mutation that represents a higher risk than BRCA. I was scheduled to have a mammogram and breast MRI every year going forward. After one MRI determined I appeared to have the fibrous tissue that is known to be more likely to develop into cancer (plus the genetic markers, family history, and being over 40). With my geneticist, oncologist and therapist, we came to the conclusion that a full oncological breast removal with gender affirming closure would be the best course of action for my health and well being. I was given a plan that included what the oncologist would do, including 24-48 or 72 hours of hospital stay for post surgery medical testing by the oncology team. (No, that you need someone for the first 24 hours post surgery did not apply to me since I would be hospitalized)

Here's where things get to biased, when I was looking for a plastic surgeons. All of the surgeons I went to listed themselves as trans-friendly and having done gender confirming surgeries. I had one surgeon flat out refuse to do surgery on me until I had a husband or wife living with me. This person also continued to call me she and refer to me in ways aligned with a straight female instead of nonbinary or transgender. Two others that insisted I at least have a roommate. One of them told me I should move and find a roommate, get to know that roommate, then come back to 'discuss being treated'. Three surgeons told me to put off cancer surgery because I didn't have a partner or roommate that I knew well. Another surgeon was doing the exam in the consult and refused to touch me after I mentioned I was pre-cancerous as if I had the plague. They asked me to dress and leave because they would not work on me. This represented months of stressing that I might literally develop cancer before being treated for all the pre-cancerous issues.

Eventually, I did find a plastic surgeon with help of my breast oncologist. They were honest with me and we spent nearly two months prepping, and several consultations making sure I would be successful going through surgery while living alone. (Yes, I still had to have someone to drive me home and emergency contacts. I had all of those at the start of the process before any of my surgical consults) It included many of the physical and environmental things I listed. Weeks of diet and body strength preparation, as well as focusing on medication that I had taken in the past, where possible, to ensure less risk of that being problematic. This included pain medications which I have experience with from a severe back injury and more recently a knee injury.

Between my therapist, oncologist, plastic surgeon, and geneticist we had a full plan and prepared for this surgery. All kinds of notes in my chart about alterations to the surgery, like longer than usual drain tubes and bandaging choices for example, that would be easier for living alone. EVEN with all of this, sitting in pre-op I dealt with whispers of no one should be working on someone who lives alone. Despite all my contacts on my surgery paperwork.. probably being asked 8 times in my hour pre-op about my care and things about how I should be scared and not really do the surgery without being married/in a long term relationship. I got the same kind of thing from some people, not on my team of surgeons, post surgery while recovering in my hospital bed.

I ran into multiple barriers and refusal of CANCER TREATMENT aligned procedures because I lived alone or didn't have a partner. The gender confirming/top surgery aspects of my treatment were secondary to the cancer issues, even in my charts and paperwork. I did not mention the bias against single people on a whim but because it was truly problematic and led to about 6 month delay in cancer related treatment. I thank everything that I didn't develop actual cancer in that time I was looking for treatment. All I think about is what would have happened If I had been less persistent about demanding care and searching for someone who could give me the care I needed in the place I was in my life.

#Aarne is ranting #Discrimination and medical discussion #transition #medical discrimination #marital status discrimination #nonbinary

[princessbubblegumandjustice]

Florida GOP Bill Would Let Doctors Deny Health Care to Anyone if They Just Felt Like It

Florida’s House of Representatives will vote next week on a bill that would allow doctors and health insurance companies to deny care to anyone they want.

According to the bill, “a health care provider or health payor has the right to opt out of participation in or payment for any health care service on the basis of a conscience-based objection,” meaning based on their moral, ethical, or religious beliefs.

Providers and insurers would face no consequences under the measure and would not be required to refer patients to a place that would provide the needed care. If they are penalized for denying care or coverage, the doctor or company can sue. …

Kara Gross, the legislative director and senior policy counsel for the ACLU of Florida, slammed the state legislature for government overreach, pointing out that the bill does not set a standard for potential objections.

“There is no definition of ‘moral’ or ‘ethical’ in the bill. Who determines what constitutes a sincerely held moral or ethical belief, and more importantly, why should access to health care be denied based on such vague, imprecise, and subjective terms?” Gross said in a statement Wednesday. She cited examples that could lead to people denying care, such as believing people should not have children before marriage.

“Medical standards, not individual, subjective beliefs, should guide medical and health care services.”

They “won’t kill you” but they’ll sure as hell make sure your medical care is either outright illegal or allow doctors to deny you care based on prejudice. :)

This is a hostile act disguised as freedom.

#lgbtq #lgbt #Florida #medical prejudice #medical discrimination #trans #gay #medicine #misogyny #doctors