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Missouri Bans State Funding for Inmate Gender-Affirming Care

7/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Mike Kehoe signed a law cutting state funding for gender-affirming treatment of incarcerated transgender people, effective July 2.
The measure bans state money for cross-sex hormones or transition surgery for prisoners.
Missouri joins Oklahoma, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina as the seventh state to prohibit gender-affirming care for inmates.
Experts warn abrupt hormone cessation may cause bone loss, cardiovascular problems, severe dysphoria and higher suicide risk.

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Story summary

Governor Mike Kehoe signed a law cutting state funding for gender-affirming treatment of incarcerated transgender people, effective July 2.
The measure bans state money for cross-sex hormones or transition surgery for prisoners.
Missouri joins Oklahoma, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina as the seventh state to prohibit gender-affirming care for inmates.
Experts warn abrupt hormone cessation may cause bone loss, cardiovascular problems, severe dysphoria and higher suicide risk.