Maine to make it easier to get transgender health coverage

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Maine has begun to make it easier to receive coverage for transgender health services.

Maine Public reports that the state Department of Health and Human Services is removing transgender-specific health services from the list of non-covered procedures under the state's Medicaid program.

MaineTransnet Executive Director Quinn Gormley says the state hasn't specified what exactly is covered yet.

That'll be figured out in a rulemaking process this year. The state expects the change will have a minimal fiscal impact.

The department's spokesperson says Maine was only one of eight states whose Medicaid program had maintained or enforced exclusion of transition-related health care.

Former President Obama's signature health law had prohibited sex discrimination in Medicaid.

Maine's health and human services agency had announced the change in an emergency ruling Tuesday.