August 2nd, 2023 by WCBC Radio

A recent caller to the WCBC Dave Norman show had questions about Maryland’s recently-passed Trans Health Equity Act.  The bill was passed by a 93-37 vote during the most recent General Assembly session and mandates the inclusion of gender-affirming treatment for transgender individuals in Maryland’s Medicaid program. The bill requires Maryland Medicaid, beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, to provide coverage for additional gender-affirming treatments which are currently disallowed in the state’s plan but commonly covered by private insurance. The expanded treatments include hormone therapy, hair alteration, voice therapy, physical alterations to the body, and fertility preservation.  The state’s Medicaid program already covers treatments including mental health services, hormone replacement therapy and gender reassignment surgery.