Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed changes to the state”™s Medicaid program Wednesday that would provide treatment for gender reassignment surgery and other transgender health treatments. New York is the fifth state to amend its Medicaid program to provide transgender health care; Washington, D.C.”™s Medicaid program also offers similar coverage.
Medicaid, the government insurance program for those with low incomes, was brought into focus last week when the state changed state insurance guidelines to require private insurance companies cover transgender health treatments when they are deemed medically necessary. Some LGBT groups praised the change but said Medicaid guidelines should also push for equal coverage.
“Transgender Medicaid recipients are some of New York”™s most vulnerable citizens,” Michael Silverman, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, said last week. “They must be able to access medically necessary care.”
Public comment is open for the proposed changes through next month.
