I would like to raise this question, with the preface that I am in Canada, where we have 'free' healthcare:

If transgenderism is not a mental illness/disorder, should the cost of transitional surgery be covered? If yes, then how do you justify using taxes to fund surgeries that are not medically necessary? How do you justify the risks associated with any surgical procedure given that the surgery isn't medically necessary? If you do not think the cost of transitional surgery should be covered, then why not? What about people that are transgender but cannot afford the surgery? Is this going to become a luxury for the rich, despite the fact that it will put those that cannot afford it at a larger risk of depression/anxiety, thus burdening the mental health system anyway? If we allow those who are transgender but cannot afford the surgery to suffer, this goes against the principles of universal healthcare. Therefore should we not classify it as a mental illness out of necessity, anyway?

Let's take a step back even further. If it's not a mental illness, should consultations and treatment by psychiatrists be covered? After all, in order for someone to begin hormone therapy, they must receive a prescription from a psychiatrist or MD. If yes, then once again, how do you justify using tax money to fund a mental health appointment that isn't medically necessary. If no, then how do you justify allowing those that cannot afford it to suffer? So then once again, out of necessity, should it not be considered a mental illness out of necessity?

And yet, by the mod's standards as laid out in the original post, my questions on this post are as scientifically legitimate as those who question whether gravity exists.