Moscow, Pullman Hospitals To Perform Gender Affirming Surgeries
Listen
Two small-town hospitals in the Palouse have announced they plan to offer gender confirmation surgeries. The same surgeon would offer the procedure at Pullman Regional Hospital and Gritman Medical Center in nearby Moscow, Idaho.
Some in Moscow are excited that the hard-to-get gender confirmation surgeries will be offered in their rural towns—mostly known for growing wheat and the University of Idaho and the Washington State Cougars.
The pastor of a large conservative church there has asked his members who work at the hospital to opt out of helping with the surgeries.
The closest other popular places to get the procedure include Portland and San Francisco. Many people even travel abroad to avoid a years-long wait. And the prep, surgery and aftercare can be extensive. The patient often has to to live near the clinic or travel long distances.
Both hospitals said they aren’t sure yet when they will begin offering the surgeries.
The doctor still has to go through some last training and get certified by the medical staff of both hospitals.
Some transgender Northwest residents say having the procedure closer to home, and more doctors in the region that can perform it, is a real service to the Inland Northwest transgender community.
There are many types of surgeries performed for transgender people. The two Palouse hospitals are specifically pursuing offering vaginoplasty.
Related Stories:
Workers at PeaceHealth feel their access to health care is limited with new insurer
When employees at PeaceHealth hospitals around the state need a prescription filled for themselves or a family member, they can get them filled at PeaceHealth pharmacies for lower costs. It’s one of the benefits of the health care organization’s insurance plan for its employees.
But in Bellingham, Washington, PeaceHealth workers can’t use that benefit. There isn’t a physical PeaceHealth pharmacy in the city.
Project 2025 and Hanford: What Trump’s second term could mean for WA’s toxic sludge
A gate and signs stand guard at one of the Hanford site’s tank farms. (Credit: Anna King / NWPB) Listen (Runtime 4:02) Read By Anna King and Jeanie Lindsay Traffic
Preparing your Northwest garden for spring
Washington State University Extension has tips to help make sure your garden is ready this spring. (Credit: Washington State University Extension) Read In the dark days of winter, it’s never