TLDEF Encouraged by Maryland’s Progress Towards Expanding Medicaid Coverage for Transgender People
The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today responded to news that Maryland has moved a step closer to making transition-related health care available to its transgender residents who receive Medicaid. Maryland health officials are submitting regulations for approval that will expand Medicaid by April 2015. Once approved, the state will join California, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington D.C., which have all expanded Medicaid coverage for transgender people. The United States Department of Health and Human Services also recently ruled that the federal Medicare program must cover transition-related health care.
Statement from Executive Director Michael Silverman:
“We are heartened to see Maryland taking action to end the discriminatory Medicaid exclusion for its transgender residents. Once this move is complete, low-income transgender Marylanders who rely on Medicaid will finally have access to the medically necessary care they depend upon. This will improve their health and contribute to their overall well-being.
“We commend Maryland on its Medicaid progress, but also urge New York and other states to take immediate action and end their discriminatory exclusion of transgender-related care from the Medicaid program. Transgender people deserve the same coverage for medically necessary health care as anyone else. As these states continue to delay action, transgender people on Medicaid will continue to suffer without access to the critical care they need. It is time for positive change on this matter now.”
Read more about Maryland’s proposed Medicaid expansion in the Baltimore Sun.