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Cambridge woman wants gender reassignment surgery covered by Medicare

(MyFoxBoston.com) -- A transgender woman from Cambridge is suing Medicare and MassHealth because they will not cover her gender reassignment surgery.

In a March 4 filing, Anita T. Phoenix says the cause for her suit is discrimination because she is a transgender woman. Phoenix is demanding $10,000.

Phoenix told the Boston Herald she lost total respect for GLAD, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, after they refused help her in a legal battle for a taxpayer-funded gender reassignment surgery, but publicly supported convicted killer Michelle Kosilek in his fight.

An official at GLAD told the newspaper they are working on other cases that push Medicare and MassHealth to cover the same operation.

Kosilek's case made national headlines when a federal appeals court upheld a judge's ruling granting a taxpayer funded sex change operation. Kosilek was born a man, but lives as woman at the all-male state prison in Norfolk after being convicted of killing his wife.

To read more: Bostonherald.com