By: Rachel Droze
Illinois’ Medicaid program will soon cover gender reassignment surgery.
The state proposed new coverage rules Friday.
Their proposed changes would have Medicaid cover genital and breast-related surgeries for people that are at least 21-years-old and that have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
“Surgeries that may have been prohibitive for them before are now going to be covered by Medicaid, so it gives transgender individuals an opportunity to opt for those surgeries if that’s something they want to do,” Phoenix Center Executive Director Jonna Cooley said.
Cooley said not all transgender people want to get gender affirmation surgery and said the procedures aren’t widely offered by doctors.
According to the state, Medicaid will start covering these procedures sometime this summer after a period of public comment.
