California law affirms gender-related care for foster youth
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A new California law signed Friday by Gov. Jerry Brown ensures access to counseling, hormone treatment and surgery for transgender foster youth.
The bill "will empower transgender foster youth to live authentically and simply be themselves," said Democratic Assemblyman Todd Gloria of San Diego, the law's sponsor.
Such treatment would be covered by Medi-Cal, the state's health insurance program for low-income Californians and those in foster care.
All Medi-Cal recipients already have access to hormone and surgical treatments if they are deemed medically necessary.