QM Weekly Update for March 16, 2026
🏳️⚧️⚕️⚖️ On Tuesday, a federal appeals court upheld West Virginia’s ban on Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming surgeries. While some headlines describe the decision as upholding full bans on adult care, the ruling itself is limited to Medicaid funding. However, the opinion extends the reasoning of U.S. v. Skrmetti and argues that states can encourage citizens to “appreciate their sex” via restrictive laws.
More information:
“4th Circuit Rules That States Can Compel Trans Adults to ‘Appreciate Their Sex’ Via Care Bans”
“U.S. court allows state bans on gender-affirming care for adults in unprecedented ruling”
U.S. court allows state bans on gender-affirming care for adults in unprecedented ruling | Advocate.com
While bans on trans youth’s care have been numerous in recent years, this is the first to restrict care for transgender adults.
🏳️⚧️⚕️⚖️ Last Sunday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against Aetna’s total exclusion of facial feminization surgery coverage for transgender women. While the injunction currently only applies to two plaintiffs in the case, a class action is pending.
More information:
“Federal Judge Rules Aetna’s Blanket Denial of Facial Surgery for Trans Women is Sex Discrimination”
“Trans women win court victory after insurance company denied their gender-affirming surgeries”
Trans women win court victory after insurance company denied their gender-affirming surgeries - LGBTQ Nation
Aetna Insurance has a categorical exemption barring trans women with gender dysphoria from receiving facial feminization surgery.
🏳️⚧️⚠️ On Wednesday, the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security issued a third red flag alert warning of an escalating ongoing genocidal process in the United States against trans people through strategies of identity denial, disinformation campaigns, increased criminalization, and removal of legal protections.
More information:
“Red Flag Alert - Anti-Trans Genocide in the USA - #3”
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Red Flag Alert - Anti-Trans Genocide in the USA - #3 | Lemkin Institute
🏳️⚧️⚕️ Recently published research found no significant increase in anger or aggression for trans and gender diverse youth after one year of taking testosterone.
More information:
“Study shows testosterone therapy does not increase anger, irritability, or aggression in trans youth”
Study shows testosterone therapy does not increase anger, irritability, or aggression in trans youth - LGBTQ Nation
The data debunks a claim made by anti-trans activists related to mass shootings.
“Anger, Aggression, and Irritability in Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth Following Testosterone Initiation: A 12-Month Longitudinal Analysis”
