Medicaid is an important source of coverage for physical and behavioral health services that address the unique needs and disparities that LGBTQI+ individuals face. These services include prescription medications to prevent HIV transmission; screenings for sexually transmitted diseases; gender-affirming care; and tailored mental health and substance use disorder services.
The Services Practice Area advocates and educates stakeholders around the opportunities that Medicaid presents to enhance access to a wide range of LGBTQI+-focused benefits. We advocate for the adoption of policies that make these services affordable and widely available in a culturally-competent manner. In addition, we assist advocates at the state level in fighting harmful policies that disproportionately harm this population, such as state efforts to restrict the use of Medicaid funding for coverage of gender-affirming care.