Story perspectives

West Virginia Court Upholds Exclusion of Gender-Affirming Surgeries from Medicaid

3/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that West Virginia may exclude gender-affirming surgeries from Medicaid coverage, reversing a prior decision in Anderson v. Crouch.
The ruling followed reevaluation after a U.S. Supreme Court intervention.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said the decision allows states to limit taxpayer-funded healthcare.
Attorney General JB McCuskey called the ruling a significant victory, arguing that funding such procedures diverts resources from essential medical treatments.

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Story summary

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that West Virginia may exclude gender-affirming surgeries from Medicaid coverage, reversing a prior decision in Anderson v. Crouch.
The ruling followed reevaluation after a U.S. Supreme Court intervention.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said the decision allows states to limit taxpayer-funded healthcare.
Attorney General JB McCuskey called the ruling a significant victory, arguing that funding such procedures diverts resources from essential medical treatments.