Beard Hair Epilation for Transsexuals Must Be Covered by Health Insurance
The claims of transgender individuals against statutory health insurance have been strengthened by a ruling from the Labor and Social Court of Vienna. A transgender woman, born male, who had been denied reimbursement for beard hair removal by the health insurance, was granted her claim, as reported by the "Presse" on Monday. A daily shave, waxing, or other temporary methods are not sufficient and have psychological consequences, according to the ruling.
Psychological Burden from Daily Shaving: Insurance Must Pay for Epilation for Transgender Individuals
The statutory health insurance had argued that it does not pay for beard hair removal for biological women either. Therefore, reimbursement for transgender individuals would contradict the principle of equality. Additionally, one could manage with daily shaving, hair removal creams, or waxing. The person born male, diagnosed with gender dysphoria, argued that the beard clearly highlights the gender discrepancy and also has psychological consequences.
This argument was followed by the Labor and Social Court of Vienna in the ruling made last year but now published. "If the plaintiff had to shave her face daily, she would be reminded daily that she is in the wrong gender," said the judge. For waxing, one would have to let the hair grow a few millimeters, "so that the plaintiff could not leave the house on such days without being pathologically burdened." The statutory health insurance was ordered to pay for the laser epilation.
The FPÖ reacted indignantly on Monday to what they see as an "ideology-driven" ruling. Social spokesperson Dagmar Belakowitsch called it a "slap in the face of all contributors," while other costs such as certain dental preservation measures for children, as well as bridges, crowns, implants, or measures against visible facial hair in some women after menopause, are not covered by the insurance.
(APA/Red)
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