Governor Patrick Morrisey praised a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on March 10 that allows West Virginia to enforce its policy limiting Medicaid coverage for gender transition procedures.
The ruling is significant as it addresses how states can manage public healthcare programs and set limits on taxpayer-funded medical treatments. The case, Anderson v. Crouch, has drawn attention as similar legal challenges are being considered in courts across the country.
“As the former West Virginia Attorney General who spent years defending common-sense policies that protect women and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars, I’m grateful the court recognized West Virginia’s authority to set reasonable limits on taxpayer-funded healthcare,” Governor Morrisey said. “States have a responsibility to manage public programs responsibly, and today’s ruling is an important victory for common sense and the taxpayers of West Virginia.”
Anderson v. Crouch was first filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, challenging the state Medicaid program’s exclusion of coverage for gender-affirming surgical procedures. The district judge initially found this exclusion discriminatory, a decision that was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit in 2024.
However, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Skrmetti—clarifying states’ authority over certain medical treatment policies—the Supreme Court vacated the earlier Anderson v. Crouch decision and directed further review by the Fourth Circuit. Following this reconsideration, the appeals court issued its latest ruling allowing enforcement of West Virginia’s Medicaid policy.
The case originated during Morrisey’s time as Attorney General and remains closely watched as other states face similar lawsuits regarding Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care.
