Did you know that California has a travel ban to eleven different states, with Iowa making number twelve? Yep. The state currently has a travel ban to the following: Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and now Iowa.
Funny isn't it? That one state in our country could ban travel to other parts of the country. Here's the strangest part: California banned travel to Iowa because the state refuses to allow Medicaid to fund gender transition surgery.
Fox New reports, “The announcement by state Attorney General Xavier Becerra means that as of Oct. 4, California will no longer offer taxpayer-funded trips to Iowa for any public employee or student at a state-run university."
“Recognizing that discrimination has no place in our society, the California Department of Justice is committed to protecting the rights of members of the LGBTQIA community," Becerra added.
Can you believe that? Because the people do not believe their tax dollars should pay for sex changes, California is banning travel. It feels like we are living in some sort of simulation!
According to the press release, "In 1978, the California First District Court of Appeal found that gender-affirming treatment is medically reasonable and necessary and held that transsexual surgery is not cosmetic as defined under Medi-Cal regulations."
It continued, "Further, California law prohibits insurers from denying coverage for gender transition care if similar services are otherwise available to their other members, including, but not limited to, hormone therapy, hysterectomy, mastectomy, and vocal training."
YIKES.
Reports said Alabama was placed on the list due to its law allowing adoption agencies with faith-based policies the option to not place children with gay couples.
Reports said that almost 12 years ago, Iowa’s legislature deemed gender identity a protected characteristic under the state’s Civil Rights Act. In March, the state’s Supreme Court ruled that the protection also covered gender transition surgeries under its Medicaid program.
However, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill in May that would prohibit Medicaid from funding the surgeries.
“The Iowa Legislature has reversed course on what was settled law under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, repealing protections for those seeking gender-affirming healthcare,” Becerra added, “California has taken an unambiguous stand against discrimination and government actions that would enable it. That’s why my office is adding Iowa to the list of states subject to state-funded or sponsored travel restrictions.”
