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There are many people who experience

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discrimination in healthcare here in Oregon,

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but members of our transgender communities face healthcare discrimination

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at a systemic and unparalleled level.

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As the mayor mentioned, the American Medical Association

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has identified transgender health care as being medically necessary.

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Yet many transgender Oregonians are routinely denied the ability

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to even purchase health insurance,

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or are denied the coverage for basic medically necessary care

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solely on the basis of their gender identity.

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And without that health insurance...[cuts off]

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When someone is born with a malformed heart valve

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there's no question we cover the treatment

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necessary to care for that person.

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Similarly, there should be no question that when someone is born transgender

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we provide the care they need.

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There are clear Standards of Care for treatment of a legitimate diagnosis.

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Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Dysphoria are recognized medical terms & diagnoses.

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I have read one of these exclusionary insurance statements,

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and it is just appalling.

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Uh, the idea that, uh, it would be, and it is, it's the equivalent of saying

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"we will not give insurance to short people."

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You know, it is how you are born.

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This is not about cost and benefit.

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This is about the sanctity of human life,

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and respect for human dignity.

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So we cannot sidestep that as we talk about policy.

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Otherwise, [we entrenching ?] a very fundamental core of our value

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a value of extending liberty and freedom to all of us.

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What we're talking about is a treatment that is medically necessary,

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as determined by the American Medical Association.

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So I'd like to tell you what I believe this issue is really about.

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It's about the American value of equality,

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and so I say let's live the values of our Constitution:

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equal treatment under the law.

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And I thank the mayor and the council for your support of this issue.

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The American Medical Association

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to me, for me, has resolved the question

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by deeming this a medically necessary procedure.

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Uh, based on the briefings I've received,

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I've also concluded that surgery is not optional,

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it is actually an appropriate treatment.

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This is a small price to pay

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for fundamental,uh, helping people to lead happy lives.

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We heard several testimony about suicidal considerations.

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And I think it's time to end that

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and to provide the means necessary for people to become the gender they truly believe they are.

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When people present me with facts and figures

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it doesn't override what my heart tells me is the right thing to do.

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And I could not in good conscience

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allow this city's police officer's to go without health coverage,

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and I don't feel any different about this issue today.

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What was mentioned in testimony

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is that the suicide rate for transgender people is 33%.

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It seems to me that $32,000 is pretty, um, cost efficient in saving a life.

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And more than that, it's the right thing to do.

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Well I want to thank, uh, Clay Neale [sp?], uh, Jennifer Yoakum [sp?], and Warren Jimenez [sp?]

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Amy Ries [sp?] and Karen Burkes [sp?] on my staff who have all worked on uh this issue

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over the past 2 1/2 years.

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Again, to our community partner Basic Rights Oregon,

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to the trans community of Portland

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who uh each and every day make this city a better place,

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and it's really my honour and privilege to serve on a City Council

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where we can bring an ounce of fairness, uh, in return.

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Um, when I put down this gavel, you can clap and cheer.

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[crowd laughing]

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AYE.

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It's approved.

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[crowd cheers and claps]