The Government of Yukon announced on Friday that new changes to the territory’s healthcare insurance plan will allow people to claim “gender-affirming” services at the expense of taxpayers. 

All residents enrolled in the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan are eligible under the new coverage. 

“This addresses the gap Yukoners faced when accessing gender-affirming care offered in private facilities,” a news release explains. 

“Yukoners can now access services including tracheal shave, facial feminization, body contouring, vocal surgery and hair removal without having to pay out-of-pocket.” 

The move comes one year after the territorial government announced it would improve access to “gender-affirming health care, including surgery.” 

Some transgender individuals choose to opt for sex-change operations in order to affirm their identity.

Common procedures include top and bottom surgeries and hormone therapy. 

“The Yukon is leading the country in advancing access to gender-affirming surgical and non-surgical procedures and services, and our commitment to providing this coverage has never wavered,” said the territory’s Minister of Health Tracy-Anne McPhee.

“We recognize the past few months has been uncertain for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and we are very pleased to announce this amendment to regulation, so Yukoners can access the care they need and deserve.”

In August, the federal government updated the Public Service Health Care Plan to include up to $75,000 in coverage for “gender-affirming care.” 

“New features of the Plan include increased support for mental health and well-being, such as increased coverage for psychological services and an expansion of mental health service providers,” the federal government explained. 

“For the first time, coverage would be available for gender affirmation, placing the Government of Canada as a leader in modernized employee health care benefits.”

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