Transgender Law Grad Sues Oregon Over Hysterectomy Coverage Denial, Alleges Discrimination
A law graduate who says the hormones he took as part of a female-to-male sex change have put him at heightened risk of ovarian and uterine cancer is suing the state of Oregon for refusing to cover a hysterectomy that his doctor says is medically necessary.
Alec Esquivel, 41, also says he is being discriminated against because of his diagnosed gender identity disorder, according to the Statesman Journal.
Esquivel’s lawsuit was filed this morning in Marion County Circuit Court by Lambda Legal, which says a private insurer would be deemed to have discriminated if it refused to cover such medical treatment. It seeks compensatory damages and attorney’s fees.
The suit names as defendants the Oregon Public Employees’ Benefit Board and the Oregon Court of Appeals, where Esquivel works in the clerk’s office.
Esquivel is a 2009 law graduate of Willamette University.
Hat tip: Associated Press.
