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Ohio Budget Establishes Two-Sex Policy and Blocks Medicaid Funding for Gender-Affirming Mental Health

Taking effect in September, it pairs new adult-focused transgender restrictions with targeted vetoes that preserve key LGBTQ supports.

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Overview

  • The budget formally enshrines state recognition of only two sexes—male and female—excluding non-binary and intersex identities
  • It prohibits Medicaid reimbursement for mental health services that promote or affirm a social gender transition
  • Unlike earlier laws aimed at minors, the new restrictions extend for the first time to transgender adults
  • Governor DeWine vetoed provisions that would have defunded transgender-affirming homeless youth shelters, limited LGBTQ materials in libraries and banned pride flags on government buildings
  • The two-sex policy and Medicaid funding ban will become effective 90 days after enactment, reshaping transgender rights in Ohio this fall