Florida will block taxpayer-funded Medicaid from being used to pay for sex change surgery and transgender drugs.
The state will prohibit Medicaid from covering various life-altering gender reassignment measures, including surgeries, puberty blockers, hormones, hormone antagonists, and procedures that would change primary or secondary sex characteristics.
The rule will go into effect later this month on August 21.
It marks a major blow against “woke” gender ideology.
Brock Juarez, communications director for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, issued a statement saying the state is committed to “following the evidence” for such matters.
“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,” Juarez tweeted.
“Our focus will always be on paving the way for a healthier Florida.”
Media reports discussing the state’s move have been using the “woke” term “gender-affirming” to refer to the measures that will not be covered by Florida Medicaid.
A Politico headline read, “Florida bans Medicaid from covering gender-affirming treatments.”
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,” Juarez warned.
“The media should stop using left-wing talking points.”
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.”
The Left was outraged earlier this year by the approval of Florida legislation that includes a provision to prohibit 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.
