What Do You Think of Taxpayer-Funded Sex Changes for Inmates?
A federal judge's ruling Tuesday on a Massachusetts case is believed to be the first of its kind.
A convicted murderer will receive a state-funded sex-reassignment surgery because a federal judge has ruled it is the only way to treat her "serious medical need."
Massachusetts state prison officials must provide the surgery to Michelle Kosilek, who was convicted as Robert Kosilek for killing his wife in 1990. Kosilek was born male but has received hormone treatments and lives in an all-male prison.
Kosilek first sued the Massachusetts Department of Correction 12 years ago. Wolf ruled two years later that Kosilek was entitled to treatment for gender-identity disorder, but did not order surgery. The ruling yesterday stems from Kosilek suing again in 2005.
Sex change operations can cost up to $20,000. Many insurance companies reject the surgery as elective.
In his decision, Wolf stated the surgery is the ‘‘only adequate treatment’’ for Kosilek and that ‘‘there is no less intrusive means to correct the prolonged violation of Kosilek’s Eighth Amendment right to adequate medical care,’’ the Globe reported.
Prison officials have argued that allowing Kosilek to have the surgery would make her a target for sexual assaults by other inmates.
What do you think of the decision?
pam papamechail
5:05 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
I don't think we should pay for it.
pamela boucher
8:47 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
hey maybe they will release her finally ok
Doris Mitchell
11:14 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
no matter what there still guilty
sue
8:07 am on Saturday, September 8, 2012
The key word is "elective" surgery. Why should someone in prison be afforded surgery that is not necessary on my dime? If he has family that would pay, then fine, but I'm sure there's a school in MA that could benefit more from 20K.
Richard Yunker
9:31 am on Saturday, September 8, 2012
I thought that when people go to prison they lost their rights. It is supoe to be punishment for the crime they comited against the people. Now we the people have to pay for this. Makes no sense to me.
Sandie Bock
12:10 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
I believe we owe our prisoners basic health and dental care to keep them from becoming more ill or definite pain. SO pull teeth that are decayed and not repairable, and not put in implants which is being done now. IF they have diabetes give them insulin, if they need their gall bladder out, take it out but do not do bariatric surgery. I think Sex Change surgery is not an emergency, it is an elective surgery, this man can live as if he were a woman but the surgery is not necessary as long as he is living in a prison for gods sake. I am very sensitive to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transexual issues BUT this man murdered someone and is in prison for the rest of his life. NO ONE is stopping him from living as if he were a woman and if he were not in jail and had not committed a capital crime, he would be FREE to have the surgery and I would be right in line making sure it happened for him but in prison for murder???? NO surgery would be my answer. There are so many hungry and homeless that could utilize the money used for this surgery and for implants for these prisoners!!
Buzz
7:17 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
Honestly, I don't really care. We have bigger problems to worry about then some convict's gender problem.
Sandie Bock
11:45 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
Buzz, you are right there are bigger problems this state has but your apathy about this problem says, go ahead pay for this sex change surgery because "I don't care'. Truth is that the Judge has said that the state of MA is going to pay for that gender changing surgery IS going to be paid for with funds that should be going to the "bigger problems". In addition to that, I have heard of people committing crimes BECAUSE they need medical care of surgery and do not have insurance for it so rob a bank or rob a person and plead guilty and go to jail and get all their medical problems fixed and then get out of jail since they made a deal of pleading guilty so short term in jail. GREAT your taxes at work, right? GIVE A DAMN!