Vermont will begin covering gender-reassignment surgery for children who are on Medicaid under a new rule proposed by the state’s Department of Health Access last month.
The proposal would change the current rule that bans those under 21 from receiving taxpayer funds for sex-change surgery.
The proposed rule requires the approval of a child’s parents for those under 18, although it also includes a judicial bypass that could allow a minor to obtain gender-reassignment surgery over the objections of parents.
About half of all children in Vermont receive insurance through Medicaid, the Burlington Free Press reported.
“For minors under 18 years of age, documented informed consent of a parent(s), legal custodian, or guardian is also required unless the minor is emancipated by court order,” the proposal says.
Sixteen types of genital surgery would be covered, alongside breast augmentation and mastectomies.
In addition to permission from parents or a judge, children must meet several other requirements, including:
— “Two written clinical evaluations,” the first of which should be “from the individual’s treating qualified mental health professional.”
— “Completion of at least 12 months of living in a gender role that is congruent with their gender identity, across a range of life experiences and events that may occur throughout the…
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