In 2006, staff members of AU issued a proposal calling for the coverage of transgender care by the university's health care program. The proposal has yet to produce results and staff insurance still does not cover transgender care. Neither does the student health insurance.
Transgender care, defined as "expenses incurred for, or related to, sex change surgery or to any treatment of gender identity disorder," has never been covered by AU health care, despite the school's non-discrimination policy that ensures that anyone or anything involved with the university would be free from any form of discrimination. Although those fighting to include gender identity as a form of discrimination are now at the forefront of the fight for equal rights, AU, as a university that attempts to portray itself as liberal and inclusive, should welcome the opportunity to be one of the first to include gender identity issues in their health care.
Dan Bruey, the Student Health Center director, claims he "[doesn't] want to exclude this population" but that he "[wants] to do it right and make sure it's the best thing for all enrollees on the plan." But while there has been progress elsewhere, there has been none here. The University of Michigan and most of the University of California system have worked out health care plans that at the very least provide a base amount of care for transgender students. Bruey should look to these institutions as examples of how to include transgender care in AU student health insurance.
It is important that the students of AU take a closer look at the policies of their school. Most students are completely unaware of the many unfair or questionable policies of this university. This is just such an example. Bruey should also try harder to include student opinions into his own decisions.
Thankfully, steps are being taken to improve communication between the students and the health center. Let's hope that it will help AU live up to its own standard of non-discrimination.
