Kentucky Governor Rejects Funding for Inmate Transgender Surgeries with Taxpayer Dollars

On Thursday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his disapproval of utilizing state funds for covering transgender surgeries for inmates in state facilities.

According to the proposed regulations, transgender inmates might undergo surgical procedures if it is concluded that “all possible avenues” to address their gender dysphoria have been explored.

During a press briefing on December 12, Beshear dismissed the proposed rules allowing such surgeries, arguing that this could result in inmates receiving superior coverage compared to “law-abiding citizens.”

“Nonetheless, convicted felons should not have the right to have all types of medical surgeries fully funded by taxpayers, particularly when it surpasses the coverage available to law-abiding citizens within the private sector,” he stated. “Thus, I do not support this entire draft regulation.”

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Beshear mentioned that the Department of Corrections has reached out to Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman for clarification on the proposed guidelines.

“The Department of Corrections is making an effort to comply with federal law, and the requirements are not entirely clear to me,” he noted.

Corrections Commissioner Cookie Crews stated at a meeting on Monday that the department submitted the inquiry to Coleman to determine if gender reassignment surgeries could be permissible when deemed medically necessary for transgender inmates.

Lawmakers expressed confusion over the department’s decision to seek legal opinions only on December 6, despite the policy proposal being initiated in May, but Crews did not provide a response.

Andy Westberry, communications director for the Kentucky Republican Party, criticized the Beshear administration’s last-minute legal inquiry, arguing that Republican legislators had issued “ample notice” regarding concerns about the regulations.