Fridae

On 13 October, the ACLU of Virginia and Equality Virginia called for state funding of gender-affirming care for young Medicaid and CHIP recipients after a coverage cutoff took effect.

Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services set out the change in a 24 September bulletin. It ends coverage of gender dysphoria services for Medicaid members under 18 and Children’s Health Insurance Program members under 19. The cutoff applies to care provided from 13 October.

The federal rule behind the change restricts federal funding. It allows states to pay for the affected services entirely with their own money outside the federally matched programmes.

In a joint letter sent on 9 October, the two organisations urged Virginia to withdraw its bulletin and work with providers, pharmacies, health plans and community groups on a state-funded alternative. They also asked for instructions on documenting services for possible retroactive payment once a replacement plan is in place.

The coverage notice includes an authorised transition for some existing patients. Federal funding may continue for a tapering period of up to six months for hormone therapy already being received on 13 October; that provision excludes puberty blockers and surgery. Mental-health services remain covered, the Virginia bulletin says.