Federal judge blocks Florida ban on Medicaid funds for transgender treatment
CBSJun 30, 2023
The Facts
On Wednesday, Florida’s restrictions on Medicaid coverage for gender dysphoria treatments, spearheaded by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, were ruled unconstitutional by US District Judge Robert Hinkle.
Hinkle ruled that Florida’s rule and statute banning Medicaid payments for transgender healthcare violated the constitutional right to equal protection under the 14th Amendment, the federal Medicaid statute, and the prohibition of sex discrimination in the Affordable Care Act.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Hinkle is way out of line in striking down these restrictions. Most of the developed world has similar restrictions on these treatments, which are largely considered experimental, and are definitely not medically necessary. The courts have decided that political correctness must come before protecting kids, who are too young to consent to such irreversible treatments.
Democratic narrative
Of course these restrictions break the law. They’re not based on any legitimate medical advice, and are instead a way for Republicans to try to score political points under the guise of protecting children. DeSantis has even made anti-trans policies a focal point of his 2024 run for the presidential nomination. Thankfully, the courts can step in.