A Missouri court has upheld a new state law that prohibits some gender-affirming health care for minors, marking a significant victory for supporters of the ban. The law, which was defended by Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, is the first of its kind to be successfully upheld at the trial court level in the nation.
The legislation in question prohibits gender-affirming surgeries for children and teenagers under 18, as well as hormones and puberty blockers for minors who had not started those treatments as of August 2023. While most adults can still access gender-affirming health care under the law, Medicaid coverage for such treatments is not provided.
