A federal judge in Florida struck down the state's attempt to prohibit Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care, Politico reported June 21.
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration implemented a rule Aug. 21, 2022, that stated Medicaid could not cover treatments such as puberty-blocking medications, hormone therapies or surgical procedures as a treatment for gender dysphoria. LGBTQ+ and health advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit challenging the ban in September.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the ban on Medicaid paying for gender-affirming care was an equal protection violation and went against federal Medicaid law and the ACA, according to the report.
The judge said the restrictions were "purposeful" discrimination against transgender individuals and not a "legitimate state interest," according to the report.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Politico, according to the report.