US court upholds 'horrifying' state ban on adult trans healthcare

"Republican-appointed judges reversed a ruling which blocked the ban, arguing with little evidence that gender-affirming care for trans adults was "dangerous," urging states not to fund what it spuriously described as "experimental procedures." It further claimed that trans people had become "disdainful of their sex" and claimed, again without evidence, that banning such provisions would "encourage citizens to appreciate their sex.""

"Every single major medical organisation in the US support the use of gender-affirming care to help support trans adults. Numerous studies have similarly proven gender-affirming treatments are safe and effective."

"The three-judge panel's ruling is the first time a federal court in the North American country to uphold a restriction on healthcare for trans adults, according to Reuters. It has caused immense concern for trans Americans, several of whom saying the ruling is not only "horrifying" but completely contradicts the evidence on the effectiveness of gender-affirming care."

The US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld West Virginia's ban on Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming surgeries for trans adults. The three-judge panel, reversing a previous blocking of the ban, claimed without evidence that gender-affirming care was dangerous and experimental. The ruling also made unsupported assertions that trans people were disdainful of their sex and that banning coverage would encourage citizens to appreciate their sex. This represents the first federal court approval of healthcare restrictions for trans adults. The decision contradicts all major US medical organizations and extensive research demonstrating gender-affirming treatments are safe and effective. Medical professionals and trans advocates have condemned the ruling as scientifically baseless and harmful.

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