In a massive blow to LGBTQ+ rights, Florida officially banned Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for transgender recipients.
On 10 August, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration added the new regulation to the state’s $36.2 billion medical program, which the Florida Medical Board voted on a week prior.
Under the new rule, Medicaid will no longer cover gender-affirming surgeries, puberty blockers, hormone therapy “or any other procedures that alter primary or secondary sexual characteristics” (per Politico).
Since the news was announced, medical professionals and LGBTQ+ organisations have slammed the state for its harmful decision.