In recent years, the landscape of gender-affirming surgeries in the United States has undergone significant shifts, as indicated by a study released on Wednesday. The research highlights a nearly tripling of these surgeries between 2016 and 2019, followed by a minor decline in 2020—a trend attributed to the far-reaching effects of the pandemic. The findings underscore the evolving nature of transgender healthcare and its correlation with changing policies and circumstances.
The surge in gender-affirming surgeries appears to resonate with the widening accessibility of insurance coverage for transgender care, particularly after the Obama administration actively discouraged gender identity-based discrimination. This shift empowered many individuals to pursue procedures aligning with their gender identities. Dr. Jason Wright, lead author from Columbia University, emphasized the role of expanded insurance coverage as a driving factor behind this surge.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted medical services across the board, had a tangible effect on the frequency of gender-affirming surgeries in 2020. However, the fluctuations in surgical numbers did not deter the underlying trend. Approximately 48,000 individuals underwent these surgeries over the five-year span of the study. Notably, the majority of patients were aged 19 to 30, challenging the assumption that younger individuals were the primary drivers of this surgical upswing.
While the study didn’t delve into more commonplace treatments like puberty blockers and hormones for minors, it illuminated the prevalence of various procedures. Breast surgeries emerged as the most frequent across all age groups, followed closely by genital surgeries. However, cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, face lifts, and nose reshaping were also noteworthy aspects of the data.
The study’s findings extend beyond medical insights, shedding light on the ongoing struggles for transgender individuals seeking care. Amidst a backdrop of policy changes, some states have imposed restrictions or bans on transgender healthcare for those under 18, resulting in longer waiting lists in states that have become refuges for this community. This study underscores the complexity of transgender healthcare and its intertwined relationship with evolving policies, cultural attitudes, and healthcare access.