A federal appellate court in Richmond became the first in the country to rule that state healthcare plans must pay for gender-affirming surgeries
The decision came from a set of cases out of North Carolina and West Virginia, where state officials argued that their policies were based on cost concerns rather than bias. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit rejected that argument, saying the plans were discriminating against trans people in need of treatment.
It’s the second ruling in favor of trans rights this month from the 4th Circuit, a once-conservative court that has become a trailblazer in the realm of trans rights.
The ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court. Full story here