Moving a bill through the Wyoming Legislature isn’t easy. Every win is a cause to celebrate. We are fighting hard for HB-80 to make it over a long series of hurdles, and the Healthy Wyoming coalition remains dedicated to increasing affordable access to healthcare for all Wyoming residents.
The bill, “Medical treatment opportunity act – Medicaid reform,” would offer the Medicaid expansion our state desperately needs. It would increase access to healthcare in our state, and it would disproportionately benefit low-income and traditionally marginalized communities.
In short, it would make our state more equal.
Equality is at the heart of our fight for Medicaid expansion in Wyoming. This is why an amendment to the bill approved by the House Revenue Committee last week is so concerning. It attempts to forbid any Medicaid expansion funding from being used for gender-affirming surgery.
Whether this provision is even allowed by federal guidelines, or what direct impact it would have on access to care in Wyoming is a topic of important, ongoing discussion. What is clear, though, is that this amendment is based upon prejudice and misinformation against our trans friends and neighbors.
Why does gender-affirming medical care matter?
First, it’s important to understand that gender-affirming care is regarded as medically necessary. It is not “cosmetic” or “elective.” This is the stance taken by major organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, among many others.
So right out of the gate, this amendment flies in the face of medical knowledge and best practice.
Gender-affirming care is necessary for many reasons. One of these is mental health. Gender dysphoria is the experience of one’s biological sex not matching their gender. Without good care and support, individuals experience gender dysphoria can suffer a great deal. Too often, trans people often don’t get this support. Worse, they are often bullied and harassed.
The hippocratic oath states “first, do no harm.” Denying needed care to a vulnerable group of young people does a great deal of harm.
The Healthy Wyoming coalition will continue to work diligently to support Medicaid expansion and HB-80, while simultaneously advocating for the removal of this harmful and discriminatory amendment from the bill.
Our partners at Wyoming Equality have created a legislative position paper on bills that limit gender-affirming care. While Healthy Wyoming doesn’t necessarily have a stance on all of the bills mentioned, there is some useful information; you can read the paper here.
