New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday, that insurers can no longer deny coverage of gender reassignment surgery or sex change treatment for the transgendered.
This makes New York the ninth state to mandate coverage, according to the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund.
In a letter sent this week to insurers, the state Department of Financial Services said they "may not deny medically necessary treatment otherwise covered by a health insurance policy solely on the basis that the treatment is for gender dysphoria."
“Respecting the rights and dignity of all New Yorkers is paramount,” Cuomo said in a statement. “By taking this action, we are ensuring that principle rightfully extends to transgender people across our state."
