The ACLU of Iowa and national ACLU LGBT and HIV Project filed a lawsuit Friday to block implementation of a recently passed Iowa law that specifically allows denial of coverage under Medicaid surgery to transgender Iowans.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of One Iowa, Mika Covington, who lives in central Iowa, and Aiden Vasquez, who lives in southeast Iowa. Both Mika and Aiden are transgender, qualify for Medicaid, and their doctors agree they need gender-affirming surgery to treat their gender dysphoria.Republican lawmakers added the amendment to a Health and Human Services budget bill. It bans transition-related medical services for transgender Iowans from taxpayer-funded insurance coverage.In April, Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, said the amendment to block Medicaid from covering transitions for transgender Iowans is about saving taxpayers money, which he believes should go toward mental health and public safety.Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen called the amendment a mean-spirited attempt at discrimination. By raising the issue so late, she said Republicans prevented Democrats from amending the proposal.Patt Garrett, spokesperson for the governor’s office, issued the following statement:"We will work with the Iowa Attorney General's Office to defend this narrow provision clarifying that Iowa’s Civil Rights Act does not require taxpayer dollars to pay for sex reassignment and other similar surgeries - the state’s position for years."

The ACLU of Iowa and national ACLU LGBT and HIV Project filed a lawsuit Friday to block implementation of a recently passed Iowa law that specifically allows denial of coverage under Medicaid surgery to transgender Iowans.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of One Iowa, Mika Covington, who lives in central Iowa, and Aiden Vasquez, who lives in southeast Iowa. Both Mika and Aiden are transgender, qualify for Medicaid, and their doctors agree they need gender-affirming surgery to treat their gender dysphoria.


Republican lawmakers added the amendment to a Health and Human Services budget bill. It bans transition-related medical services for transgender Iowans from taxpayer-funded insurance coverage.

In April, Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, said the amendment to block Medicaid from covering transitions for transgender Iowans is about saving taxpayers money, which he believes should go toward mental health and public safety.

Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen called the amendment a mean-spirited attempt at discrimination. By raising the issue so late, she said Republicans prevented Democrats from amending the proposal.

Patt Garrett, spokesperson for the governor’s office, issued the following statement:

"We will work with the Iowa Attorney General's Office to defend this narrow provision clarifying that Iowa’s Civil Rights Act does not require taxpayer dollars to pay for sex reassignment and other similar surgeries - the state’s position for years."