Demonstrators protesting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation dropped 48,000 handmade hearts — meant to represent LGBTQ+ Idahoans — down the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise on April 2, 2024. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)
A federal judge denied a request by suing transgender Idahoans to block a new state law that bans public funds from covering gender-affirming health care.
The new law took effect in July, banning Idaho Medicaid and public funds from covering gender-affirming medication and surgeries.
Transgender and nonbinary Idahoans on Medicaid who sued in 2022 — alleging Idaho Medicaid has an unwritten policy of denying or delaying gender-affirming care coverage — this year amended their lawsuit to seek to block the new law.
Federal judge Raymond E. Patricco, chief magistrate judge in the District of Idaho, in July temporarily blocked the new law from applying to the seven suing patients in the lawsuit through a temporary restraining order that expired.
Legal counsel for the suing patients argued the law should be blocked longer, requesting a preliminary injunction.