This just in from GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD):
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) has filed an employment discrimination case on behalf of a transgender woman challenging her employer, Turbocam, Inc.’s total exclusion of medical coverage for necessary healthcare related to gender transition. The claim was filed today at the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission under both state and federal nondiscrimination law.
Turbocam, Inc. provides healthcare coverage to workers as part of employee compensation. Lillian Bernier has worked as a machinist at Turbocam since 2019, including continuous work through the COVID pandemic. When Lillian sought coverage for doctor-recommended healthcare she learned that the company’s self-funded health plan excludes any coverage for treatment related to gender transition. Such an exclusion has no medical basis.
By implementing and maintaining the exclusion Turbocam is denying Lillian the same level of healthcare benefits that other employees receive because she is transgender. Lillian, who supports herself and her family through her income, has had to pay out of pocket for medical expenses and even delay some critical care, to the detriment of herself and her family.
“I’m proud of my work as a machinist at Turbocam,” said Bernier. “Like everyone else I rely on the pay and healthcare coverage from my job to support myself and my family. I’m just asking for fair coverage and to be treated the same as my coworkers.”
Read the complete GLAD press release here.
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