California has become the first state to ban denials of insurance coverage based solely on a person’s transgender status.

California became the first state in the nation to ban denials of insurance coverage based solely on a person’s transgender status when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation today authored by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood). AB 1586 adds gender and gender identity to existing anti-discrimination provisions in California laws regulating insurance companies and health care service plans. The new law will take effect January 1, 2006 and prohibits insurers and health plans from discriminating on the basis of gender identity in contracts and policies or in the provision of benefits or coverage.

“Transgender people are part of our human family and they deserve equal access to health coverage and treatments available to everyone else. AB 1586 goes a long way toward ending the indignities that transgender men and women face when trying to access healthcare. This is a matter of human compassion and basic fairness,” said Assemblyman Koretz.