This class action lawsuit marked a groundbreaking win for transgender Medicaid recipients seeking healthcare coverage. Alongside partners Sylvia Rivera Law Project and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, The Legal Aid Society successfully argued against New York State’s practice of denying transgender individuals coverage for medically necessary gender affirming care.

On July 5, 2016, a federal judge first granted partial summary judgment for the plaintiffs regarding Medicaid coverage for medically necessary gender affirming care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. The Court initially reserved the issue of coverage for transgender youth for trial. However, after further deliberation and argument by the parties, the Court granted summary judgment on the remaining claims on October 24, 2016, ordering New York state to provide Medicaid coverage for transgender youth.