NEW YORK, NY – State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) today released the following statement applauding Governor Andrew Cuomo and Department of Financial Services Superintendent Benjamin Lawsky for issuing a bulletin that will prohibit private insurers in New York from discriminating against transgender people in their health care.

“I commend Governor Cuomo and Superintendent Lawsky for ending discrimination in health insurance in New York based on gender identity or expression. Moving forward, health insurance providers must cover treatments related to gender transition, which is regarded as medically necessary by leading professional medical organizations for many transgender people. Today’s announcement is important to the health and well-being of transgender New Yorkers and I’m honored to have worked with them on this important issue.”

As The New York Times reported today, Senator Hoylman worked with Department of Financial Services Superintendent Lawsky and Governor Cuomo to issue new guidance requiring health insurance companies to cover transgender health care on the same terms as other care.  The Times article can be found here: http://nyti.ms/1zBiau1.