In August 2014, Oregon health officials passed one of the nation’s most progressive transgender healthcare policies. Under the new rules, Medicaid would pay for puberty blockers, hormones and gender reassignment surgeries. Reporter Casey Parks contacted local hospitals to find patients who might be willing to share their stories. Later that year, Legacy Medical Group officials agreed to help. Dr. Karin Selva at the health system’s Randall Children’s Hospital told Parks she had treated nearly 50 young transgender patients. One – Jay – agreed to be interviewed. He had just turned 15. Parks followed him over many months as he encountered medical, psychological, social and bureaucratic hurdles for gender reassignment surgery.
