hi...
i'm contacting you about the issue of hormones
being covered under the odsp drug benefits. whether i agree with the
reasons or not (cosmetic, not medical), i understand why that this has
not traditionally been covered. and i understand that it's something
that is probably still a little touchy in certain circles. however, i
think the current liberal majority is the type of government that is
likely to throw off certain stigmas attached to the issue, that it will
probably even generate broad public support, and it's something
progressive forces should consequently be taking the opportunity to move
a little on. you are my mp, so i'm approaching you as a first point of
contact.
i've been taking hormones for years, and have
been able to cover the cost for one of three drugs while the province
covers the cost of the other two. i've interpreted this as "it could be
worse", but the price just went up a lot and it's provided me with an
incentive to try and get it covered. i understand that there's a
procedure to go through to ask for an exception, but i think it really
just ought to be changed altogether.
the three drugs
are a progesterone, an estrogen and a testosterone blocker. the province
covers the testosterone blocker because it's used to treat men that
have difficulties with sexual impulses - rapists and child molesters. it
covers the progesterone because it can be used as a menopause
treatment. further, it will cover some types of estrogen that are used
in birth control, but the doses are far too low to be useful to me.
should
i really have to rely on a legal loophole for sex offenders when i have
a diagnosed medical condition, and the prescription i need is approved
for other uses? this condition is deeply intertwined with mental health
issues. it's generally consistent in the canadian legal framework to
ensure access to this kind of thing, when it intersects with issues of
well being. i know i'm on the right side with this.
again:
i understand why this would have been difficult twenty years ago. but, i
think the society has matured enough around this issue that this
medication should be interpreted by odsp as medically necessary, and
consequently covered under the circumstances of my diagnosis - rather
than the loophole i'm currently forced to accept. and, i think the
current government provides an opportunity to move on this.
jessica
