In a significant legal development, Houston County in Georgia is appealing a federal court ruling that it discriminated against sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Anna Lange by refusing to cover her gender-affirmation surgery. The appeal was heard by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. Lange’s legal team argued that the denial of insurance coverage for the surgery constitutes illegal sex discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
District Court’s Ruling and Supreme Court Precedent
The case began when Lange sued Sheriff Cullen Talton and the county in 2019 after her insurance claim for gender-affirmation surgery was denied. In 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Marc Treadwell ruled in Lange’s favor, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision that employers cannot fire employees for being transgender. Treadwell ordered the county’s insurance plan to cover the surgery and awarded Lange $60,000 in damages.
County’s Argument and Lange’s Confidence
Houston County is seeking to overturn Treadwell’s order and the damage award, arguing that the Supreme Court ruling on employment does not extend to health insurance matters. The county’s lawyer compared the exclusion of gender-affirmation surgery to other non-covered treatments like hearing aids or lap band surgery. However, Lange remains confident that the law is on her side, supported by previous court rulings that align with Treadwell’s decision.
Federal Government’s Involvement
The U.S. Department of Justice has intervened in the case on Lange’s behalf, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of transgender people under Title VII of the 1964 civil rights law. Attorneys for Lange and the Department of Justice argue that Houston County’s exclusion of gender-affirmation surgery is discriminatory and violates Title VII, as it treats people differently because of their sex.
The Broader Context of the Case
This case highlights ongoing legal and societal debates surrounding transgender rights and healthcare coverage. The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications for how gender-affirmation treatments are viewed and covered under health insurance plans, potentially influencing similar cases nationwide. Lange’s case also reflects broader issues of discrimination and the need for equality in healthcare access for transgender individuals.