By Samantha Schmidt, The Washington Post
For months, Jesse Hammons prepared himself for a surgery that would help him feel more comfortable in his body.
Hammons, a 33-year-old transgender man, went through blood tests, ultrasounds and other health screenings with his doctor, finally scheduling a hysterectomy for Jan. 6 at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center.
The night before the operation, his surgeon called him to say the hysterectomy had been canceled. A hospital administrator had instructed him not to perform the procedure because it conflicted with the medical center’s Catholic beliefs, the surgeon told Hammons.
On Thursday afternoon, Hammons filed a lawsuit against St. Joseph Medical Center, claiming the hospital’s denial violated the 14th Amendment’s equal-protection clause and discrimination protections in the Affordable Care Act.
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“I felt like this hospital didn’t see any worth in my life and the care that I needed,” Hammons said. “The University of Maryland St. Joseph’s should be caring for all of Maryland’s residents. We shouldn’t be denied based on who we are.”