Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in cases Thursday involving the coverage of gender-affirming care by North Carolina’s state employee health plan and the coverage of gender-affirming surgery by West Virginia Medicaid. During the proceedings, at least two judges said it’s likely the case will eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Both states appealed separate lower court rulings that found the denial of gender-affirming care to be discriminatory and unconstitutional. “West Virginia is entitled to deference where they're going to take their limited resources," he said. Chambers certified the lawsuit as a class action, covering all transgender West Virginians who participate in Medicaid.

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Persons: it’s, Tara Borelli, —, Borelli, John Knepper, Knepper, “, Caleb David, Virginia's, ”, Chuck Chambers, Huntington, Chambers, Patrick Morrisey Organizations: —, Circuit, Virginia Medicaid, U.S, Supreme, Lambda, Constitution, World Professional Association for Transgender Health, West, U.S . Centers, Medicare, Services, District, Affordable, West Virginians, West Virginia Inc, Public Employees Insurance Agency, West Virginia Republican, “ Locations: CHARLESTON, W.Va, North Carolina, West Virginia, Richmond, North Carolina’s, Virginia, U.S, “ West Virginia