Advocates for more government involvement in health care must now confront an uncomfortable question: should taxpayers finance unproven, potentially devastating “sex change” operations?

The City of Portland, Oregon proposes paying for “gender reassignment surgery” for all city employees, and in Massachusetts a woman sued successfully to get a tax deduction for her desired sex change a s medically necessary.

Actually, a recent British review of some 100 scientific studies around the world shows no evidence that the tortured individuals who go through this costly, painful procedure actually see improvements in their health or well-being. In fact, many suffer even more after the surgery, and in some cases – like LA Times reporter Mike Penner – they commit suicide. It’s bad enough if individuals choose to mutilate themselves with their own money, but pushing the cost on the public and forcing the taxpayer to pay is outrageous.