ACLU Sues Over Ban On Transition-Related Surgery Coverage
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The American Civil Liberties Union says it filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Minnesota Department of Human Services, challenging the ban on transition-related surgeries for transgender people on Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.
The organization says that while most transition-related surgeries are covered by insurance plans regulated by the state of Minnesota, they're excluded to low-income residents enrolled in state programs.
"For many transgender people, transition-related surgery is a medical necessity and can sometimes be a matter of life and death," said Joshua Block, an attorney in the ACLU's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Project.
In a statement, he added that Minnesota's statue against transition surgery is a historical relic "based purely on disapproval of transgender people."
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Outfront Minnesota, the leading LGBTQ rights group in the state, and plaintiff Evan Thomas, who is on Medical Assistance and has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
In a statement, Thomas said that being denied transition surgery is harmful to his health and well-being every day he's "forced to live in this body."
According to the ACLU, 10 states and Washington D.C. cover transition-related surgeries through public insurance programs. The surgeries are also covered by Medicare.
