Paying for a Murderer's Happiness

In early September, a Massachusetts judge ruled it necessary for an imprisoned man to receive a sex change operation. This doesn’t sound like it affects the community, but it does; we are paying for his surgery. Robert Kosilek was convicted in 1990 for the murder of his wife, and is serving a life sentence. Kosilek claims to have severe gender identity disorder, which is a danger to his own life. U.S. District Court Judge ruled the surgery a medical necessity, which forces Massachusetts taxpayers to fund the operation. However, having a gender identity disorder is not a direct threat to one’s life and it should not be the responsibility of taxpayers to pay for such an operation.

                Kosilek, who now goes by the name Michelle, lives as a woman in a male prison. Because of the mental anguish he reportedly suffers from his disorder, he has attempted suicide on several occasions. Judge Wolf had earlier allowed Kosilek to undergo hormone treatments and hair removal (also tax funded), but Kosilek wanted more. He even was allowed to have a tax paid mammogram tax paid mammogram.

                And now he wants to ultimate treatment-- the sex reassignment surgery. Male to female surgeries typically cost between $7,000 and $24,000 This is our money; money that could be going to bettering education, building parks or funding facilities for those in need. Instead we are paying for a convicted murderer to be happy. Why should he be happy? He killed his wife-- and that certainly did not make anyone happy.

                Universal health care is a great idea when used properly. For example, a young child with cancer whose parents can’t afford treatment would be a great use for universal health care. People who need to treat medical problems in order to live.  Instead we are taking advantage of universal health care to pay for people who are not in a life or death situation. Judge Wolf has ruled that Kosilek’s disorder is life threatening. This idea is ridiculous-- he can live as a man, probably not happily, but he will not die if he continues to live as a man. The only threat to his life is himself.