Gov. J.B. Pritzker is ordering the state’s Medicaid program to begin covering the costs of sex reassignment surgeries for transgender people.
WEEK TV reports the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services will develop administrative rules to offer coverage to people diagnosed with gender dysphoria to pay for genital and breast-related surgeries.
The department says paying for the surgeries will help stave off negative health effects, such as depression and suicide. The HFS said 17 states and Washington, D.C. offer coverage for the surgeries without a significant cost increase.
The ACLU of Illinois hailed the decision to cover sex reassignment surgeries.
The rule is likely to go into effect this summer.
