Transgender people sensationalized for profits?

For the second time in recent weeks, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has published stories on the front page about tax-payer-funded gender reassignment surgeries.

I find it odd that in an entire report -- over a year old -- they pull out gender reassignment surgeries for particular attention in their headlines.

I don't think it is appropriate to unnecessarily alarm the public about something that is rarely approved by the state and has a legitimate medical purpose. As Sen. Adam Kline told the Seattle Gay News recently:

For those members of the [Medicaid] recipient population who are going through the dysfunctional psychological consequences of being in the wrong body; that is their medical need.

PI articles:

3/14/06 -- Sex changes through the state a go again after policy reversal

2/10/06 -- State's taxpayers paid for a sex change