Washington D.C., May 8, 2023 / 13:45 pm
Republicans in Maryland are criticizing Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Wes Moore for approving legislation that will expand taxpayer-funded Medicaid coverage to include transgender surgeries and drugs for children.
Under the old Maryland law, which is in effect until Jan. 1, 2024, Medicaid covers transgender surgeries and drugs for patients who were at least 18 years old and diagnosed with gender dysphoria. This includes mental health services, hormone replacement therapy, and gender reassignment surgery. The surgeries covered include genital alterations and alterations to breasts and testicles.
The new law removes the age requirements for transgender drugs and surgeries, which opens these procedures up to children. It also expands the number of services provided to both children and adults to include hair alterations, voice surgery, “butt” alterations, face and neck alterations, and fertility preservation services, among other things. It will also cover puberty blockers for children.
The legislation will also expand coverage to children and adults to include services related to detransitioning, which are treatments to help a person reverse transgender drugs and procedures.