Florida will prohibit Medicaid coverage for various gender reassignment measures such as surgeries, puberty blockers, hormones, hormone antagonists, and procedures that would change primary or secondary sex characteristics.
The rule, which marks a blow against radical leftist gender ideology, will go into effect later this month on August 21.
“Throughout this process @AHCA_FL [Florida Agency for Health Care Administration] has remained committed to following the evidence in the treatment of gender dysphoria, rather than the eminence of a medical society or association. Our focus will always be on paving the way for a healthier Florida,” tweeted Brock Juarez, communications director for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
Media reports discussing the state’s move used the term “gender-affirming” to refer to the gender transition measures that will not be covered by Florida Medicaid. A Politico headline read, “Florida bans Medicaid from covering gender-affirming treatments,” while a Washington Post headline declared, “Florida to bar Medicaid coverage for those seeking gender-affirming care.”
“‘Gender affirming care’ is not standard medical terminology. It’s propaganda. The media should stop using left-wing talking points,” Juarez tweeted.
Several groups issued a joint statement expressing staunch opposition to the rule.
“Lambda Legal, Southern Legal Counsel, Florida Health Justice Project, and National Health Law Program denounce Florida’s cruel effort to strip transgender Floridians on Medicaid of the ability to access essential, medically necessary, and often lifesaving medical care,” the groups said in the statement. “This discriminatory and medically unsound rule will take effect on August 21, 2022, putting transgender people in jeopardy of losing access to critical gender-affirming health care services.”
Leftists were outraged earlier this year by the approval of legislation in the Sunshine State that included a provision that prohibits teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade.
“Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards,” the law states.
