For the first time since 1981, there could be a new decision on whether sex change operations are covered, due to Obamacare.

That year, Medicare deemed the procedures as "experimental."   Now, a 30 day comment period has just opened for what is called a proposed "National Coverage Determination."

"Acting on a new request, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it is starting a new analysis that could lift the spending ban for sex-change operations with a goal of making a decision two days after Christmas and on the eve of Obamacare kicking in Jan. 1."   That would be January 2014.

Because in 1981 Medicare deemed them experimental,  federal insurance funding was blocked for such purposes.

The National Center for Transgender Equality is one of the groups pushing to make coverage for the changes available.  They claim the surgery is no longer considered experimental, and is essential to achieving well-being for the transsexual patient.

Another supporter called the federal ban discriminatory, claiming failure to get  the operation can result in death for the patient.  If the policy is changed, then tax dollars could be used as part of the Obamacare program to pay for such operations.

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