Hawaii Moves To Improve Transgender Health Insurance Coverage….House Bill 2405, which is awaiting the governor’s signature, would prevent insurers from denying gender-affirming treatments due to “cosmetic” exclusions.
Kalani Bright already has had to pay more than $34,000 out of pocket for sex reassignment procedures after losing a three-year battle to get her health insurance to cover them.
Now, the 42-year-old transgender woman is due for another round of voice surgery, but her insurance will still not cover the costs because it’s considered cosmetic rather than medically necessary.
“It’s really frustrating, and it puts you in a mental state where you’re seeing what your problems are,” Bright said. “Because you’re spending years talking about it, it makes you feel like you’re not getting anywhere.”
