As the Trump Administration backs away from certain legal protections for transgender Americans — the city-run hospital system has opened its first center for transgender patients looking to undergo gender-reassignment surgery. Health Reporter Erin Billups has the details.
Brandi Concepcion says a 40-year journey to find her place in society brought her to Metropolitan Hospital in Harlem, part of the the city's municipally run hospital system.
"I went through the year of therapy that was required," Concepcion said. "Just to make sure that this was the right choice for me. I started with hormones after I was given my initial letter. It took me like a year to start dressing more feminine like. Wearing makeup, letting my hair grow. And here we are, three years later."
Conception will be one of the first transgender patients to undergo "top surgery" at the city-run hospital, also known as breast augmentation or chest masculinization surgery, depending on the gender change. It's part of Metropolitan's newly expanded LGBTQ services.
"It was just something that was part of our journey as a hospital of becoming a place where we listen and respond to the needs of our patients was a no brainer in terms of what we needed to add to our program," said Sarah Bender, the hospital's director of LGBTQ services.
Patients will soon see the difference, including a clinic within the hospital with its own unique signage.
Concepcion says after growing up male in the deep South, and becoming accustomed to others' discomfort with her, it's nice to have a place to go to for medical care centered on her comfort.
She says acceptance of who she is has led to a healthier life.
"I lived off anti-anxiety pills," she said. "I lived off a lot of medications, which surely was not good for me. I was a chain smoker. I would drink about a twelve-pack of soda a day. I was unproductive. I lived off SSI. Today I am employed. I went back to school. I live on my own."
Medicaid now covers medically necessary hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgeries, but there are questions whether the Trump administration will continue those policies. The city-run hospital system says it intends to maintain its services for the transgender community.
"It's our mission as the public health system of New York City to provide care to anybody regardless of a whole host of identifying factors, gender identity included," Bender said. "So, you know, we're going to continue to push forward I think regardless."