© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Medicaid To Cover Trans Surgery In Illinois

Heartland Alliance

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois will begin covering gender reassignment surgeries under Medicaid.

Most states  provide health care related to gender-transition.  Illinois was one of last 10 holdouts. 

That's according to Dr. Magda Houlbergcof Howard Brown Health Care, which is the largest LGBTQ health care system in the Midwest.

Houlberg said the exclusion discriminates again trans and gender-nonconforming people in violation of Affordable Care Act guidelines.

“Illinois really took a leadership role in doing this. This is a  huge step forward for trans health.”

Houlberg says an estimate shows there are about  4,000 to  10,000 trans people in Illinois who could be helped under the new guidelines, set to take effect this summer.

Copyright 2019 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Maureen Foertsch McKinney is the NPR Illinois News Editor and a lead editor of Illinois Issues' feature articles, working with freelance writers, and is curator of the Equity blog. Maureen joined the staff in 1998 as projects editor. Previously, she worked at three Illinois daily newspapers, most recently the suburban Chicago-based Daily Herald, where she served stints as an education reporter and copy editor. She graduated in 1985 with a bachelor's in journalism. She also has a master's degree in English from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.