Massachusetts to fund gender-affirming care after federal Medicaid cuts

Massachusetts officials have announced that the state will use local funds to cover gender-affirming medical treatments for low-income youth following a federal policy change. The decision comes after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule to cut federal funding for such care provided to minors through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The new federal policy, scheduled to take effect on October 13, restricts funding for physical and interventionist procedures for patients under the age of 18 or 19, while maintaining coverage for psychological assistance and mental health counseling. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stated that the changes aim to protect children from interventions he described as experimental and potentially harmful.

To address the funding gap, Governor Maura Healey’s administration plans to utilize the state’s Affirming Health Care Trust Fund, which holds approximately $8.5 million. This move follows recent legislative actions by the Governor regarding abortion access, which have drawn criticism from religious leaders.