Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you want to look at it, this was not decided by politicians, but instead by judges interpreting the current law as it now stands. Politicians tend to be spineless dweebs that spend the majority of their time running for re-election. Money talks and special interests will most often dictate how a politician votes simply because getting re-elected now requires great sums of money. And of course that is how the politicians want it because it makes it very difficult to unseat an incumbent without lots of money.

It will be interesting to see if any groups such as churches come out with anything to say, now that there has been clarification that the treatment of transgendered is a legitimate medical expense. Maybe if anyone is following this thread and comes across something being said against this, a link can be posted to this thread

Hugs,
Marsha

February 2, 2010
United States Tax Court in Boston ruled hormones and Gender Reassignment Surgery are tax deductible. The ruling said hormones and surgery are a treatment for the well documented condition of GID, and therefore a qualified medical expense.
http://www.huffingtonpost[...]67.html

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Marsha

That is great! I wonder how that ruling will affect insurance policies.

Jeri

It likely will have zero effect on insurance policies as that is an entirely separate matter. Not even Obama's crazy healthcare plan made it mandatory for GRS coverage. LOL, notice how fast the healthcare bill lost the winds in its sails.

Something that does make a difference with this ruling. You may now be eligible to make withdrawals from a retirement fund such as an IRA without a tax penalty now that GRS is a qualified medical expense. Check with your tax adviser, lol.

Hugs,
Marsha

THAT is very significant!

That Is GREAT news.

If the U.S. polititians were really sincere about helping people afford healthcare, one good step toward health reform in the US would be to allow ALL medical expenses to be tax deductable - instead, the government's latest attempt reflects it's desire to control citizen's lives. Also...allowing citizens to purchase out-of-state insurance will urge competition and help control insurance prices + I'd throw in sensible tort reform as well. Emphasizing a wholistic approach to healthcare rather than treating symptoms with a bunch of pills would help also.

And furthermore.....blah, blah, blah!

my 2c
Jennifer

Hmmmm. Maybe I need to file an amended tax return for 2009.

Yes you definitely should Nicole. Good luck.
Hugs,
Marsha