Eerieanna Good and Carol Beal
v.
Iowa Department of Human Services
The Iowa Department of Human Services (IDHS) appeals from a district court ruling on judicial review that reversed IDHS’ decision to deny Medicaid coverage to the petitioners for surgical procedures related to their gender dysphoria. The district court concluded Iowa Administrative Code rule 441-78.1(4), which prohibits Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming surgery, violates the Iowa Civil Rights Act and the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution. On appeal, IDHS argues: 1) transgender Medicaid beneficiaries are similarly situated to, and treated the same as, all other Medicaid beneficiaries; 2) IDHS is not a “public accommodation” under the Iowa Civil Rights Act when it makes a benefits determination; and 3) rule 441-78.1(4) does not violate the Iowa Constitution’s equal protection guarantee because it does not discriminate against a protected class and it serves an important government purpose.
Appellee
Eerieanna Good and Carol Beal
Appellant
Iowa Department of Human Services
Attorneys for the Appellee
Rita Bettis Austen
John Knight
F. Thomas Hecht
Tina B. Solis
Seth A. Horvath
Attorneys for the Appellant
Anagha Dixit
Matthew K. Gillespie
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
15-15-5
Jan 24, 2019 9:00 AM
