BOISE, ID Idaho appears poised to become the latest battleground in the war against transgender rights. Legislation banning publicly funded gender-affirming care, which has passed the House, needs only Senate approval before landing on the desk of Governor Brad Little, who has made his opposition to such care clear.
A Familiar Fight: Idaho’s History of Restrictions
Idaho’s pushback against gender-affirming care isn’t surprising. Lawmakers have repeatedly tried to limit transgender individuals’ access to care, and they’ve repeatedly been challenged in court. One notable case forced the state to provide—and ultimately pay millions in legal fees for—gender-transition surgery for an inmate. Federal courts have rejected Idaho’s attempts to outlaw this care for both adults and minors.
Beyond Medicaid: Bill Could Target State Employees
This latest bill, if passed, goes further than just Medicaid restrictions. It aims to prevent state employees from accessing gender-affirming care through their work health insurance.
It even threatens criminal penalties for those using state facilities to receive this care. Isaac Craghtten, an Idaho Department of Correction employee, highlights how this could mean prison time for transgender workers simply taking prescribed hormone therapy at work.
National Trend with Serious Consequences
Idaho joins a growing list of states actively restricting gender-affirming care. While 23 states target minors, the attack on adult access is also escalating. This flies in the face of support from the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which stress the safety and importance of this care.
These laws aren’t just discriminatory; they’re dangerous. Denying gender-affirming care dramatically increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide within the transgender community.
Wider Implications: Rural Areas, Private Insurance
Concerns extend beyond those on Medicaid or state insurance. With many rural areas relying solely on state-funded hospitals, the ban could make it impossible for even privately insured transgender residents to get care locally.
This bill isn’t about saving money; it’s about control. It forces a dangerous and outdated ideology on Idaho’s most vulnerable residents.
The Fight Continues
While courts have halted some bans in Idaho and elsewhere, legal battles across the country are far from over. The proposed legislation’s broad and punitive language makes another lawsuit virtually inevitable. For Idaho’s transgender community, it’s a grim reminder that their fight for basic healthcare, respect, and self-determination is far from finished.
