2/ First, some background. Ari Groner is a licensed clinical social worker who educates doctors on “trans healthcare.” At a recent training session for the Juniper Center, Groner explained that she writes whatever letters her patients want, because she’s not a “gatekeeper.” pic.twitter.com/8CVUWiYetY 4/ Groner explains that insurance companies won't pay for these surgeries unless the patient is diagnosed with gender dysphoria. So, she says healthcare workers should provide the diagnosis. “We're using that diagnosis,” she says, “to ensure clients get that necessary treatment." pic.twitter.com/TqFDMaVYQtOne of the largest “transgender healthcare” providers in the U.S. approved Matt Walsh's producer for testicle removal in a 22-minute video call.
The Daily Wire producer, Gregg Re, told the healthcare provider that he had dysphoria in the past — but did not currently. They diagnosed him with the disorder anyway to ensure that insurance would cover the procedure.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 7, 2023
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 7, 2023
Re made an appointment with the most prominent trans healthcare provider in the U.S., Plume Clinic, which provides these letters for a $150 fee. 7/ We reached out to Folx about this. A staff member confirmed that a "diagnosis" of gender dysphoria -- with the word "diagnosis" in scare quotes -- is a “requirement” for insurance purposes, even if it “doesn’t apply.” pic.twitter.com/t5wbZVgrSJ
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 7, 2023
"In his intake form with Plume, Gregg provided a fake legal name. He said he had dysphoria in the past. But he stated he had never experienced it for six months or more. Under the current version of the DSM-5, that means he doesn’t have gender dysphoria," Walsh wrote in a Twitter thread. "Plume quickly scheduled Gregg for a video interview anyway. He assumed the identity 'Chelsea Bussey.' He didn’t even attempt to pass. He badly mispronounced the name of the surgery he wanted. He made it clear he didn't know what effect the surgery would have." 9/ In his intake form with Plume, Gregg provided a fake legal name. He said he had dysphoria in the past. But he stated he had never experienced it for six months or more. Under the current version of the DSM-5, that means he doesn’t have gender dysphoria. pic.twitter.com/MWoveVpQ2T
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 7, 2023
"Nevertheless, Plume’s nurse practitioner said she wanted to write the most 'solid' letter possible to justify surgery. Gregg tells her that he once wrote an essay in school about being a woman, which everyone thought was ridiculous," Walsh's thread continued. "Gregg also tells Plume’s nurse practitioner that his father has been prescribing him hormones for years. The nurse doesn’t question this in any way. Instead, she says that arrangement is 'perfect.'" 11/ Nevertheless, Plume’s nurse practitioner said she wanted to write the most "solid" letter possible to justify surgery. Gregg tells her that he once wrote an essay in school about being a woman, which everyone thought was ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/iY7Ec3Q1wd
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 7, 2023
After a three-day wait, the letter arrived saying "Chelsea Bussey" was experiencing "significant, ongoing gender dysphoria" and strongly recommended testicle removal. 13/ Three days later, Plume sent this letter to "Chelsea Bussey” – who does not exist -- saying he was experiencing "significant, ongoing gender dysphoria.” The letter strongly recommended “Chelsea” for testicle removal. pic.twitter.com/WzIMsjygS6
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 7, 2023
Walsh noted that "the letter keeps capitalizing 'Orchiectomy,' without "an" before it, as if it's just been copy-pasted into a template."
Re followed up by messaging the provider and asking why he was diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The provided said that they use a template provided by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. 15/ Later, Plume’s nurse practitioner confirmed that "in order for the surgery to be paid for," the dysphoria diagnosis would need to remain. At the same time, the nurse appeared confused as to why “Chelsea Bussey” had requested testicle removal in the first place. pic.twitter.com/AocC3z0FQ2
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 7, 2023
Plume’s nurse practitioner told Re that he must use the dysphoria diagnosis "in order for the surgery to be paid for."
"This scam is the cutting-edge of 'trans healthcare.' After launching just a couple of years ago, Plume now operates in 41 states. Folx is in 47 states. How is it possible they’ve expanded so quickly?" Walsh wrote. "The answer is that there’s big money behind this. Plume and Folx raised more than $45 million last year."
Walsh also tagged insurance companies, asking if they know they’re paying for surgeries based on "obviously false information?" 20/ They’re furious because they know the “gender transition” industry is corrupt and fraudulent from the ground up. Protecting kids is just one piece of the puzzle. The fight begins there, but it doesn't end there. The whole industry needs to be shut down.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 7, 2023
The thread concluded with Walsh saying, "They’re furious because they know the 'gender transition' industry is corrupt and fraudulent from the ground up. Protecting kids is just one piece of the puzzle. The fight begins there, but it doesn't end there. The whole industry needs to be shut down."