Two Wisconsin state employees who are transgender received $780,000 in damages from a Wisconsin jury after the two were rejected for healthcare coverage under the state health insurance plan.
A federal court determined in September that refusing healthcare coverage to Shannon Andrews and Alina Boyden for gender-affirming medical services violated federal nondiscrimination laws, after a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Wisconsin, and volunteer lawyers.
“I want to thank the judge in the case and the jury for awarding a fair verdict. It was wonderful to see a process where eight ordinary Wisconsinites were able to listen to our story, see that we were harmed, and make the decision that they did,” Boyden said in a statement. “No one should have to tell their story to a room full of strangers to justify their medical expenses, but I am thankful that I had the opportunity to share my story. I hope this sends a powerful message to fellow transgender people in Wisconsin that our health matters.”
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Boyden and Andrews were unable to receive medical coverage for “procedures, services, and supplies related to surgery and sex hormones associated with gender reassignment.” As a result, Boyden hasn’t undergone surgery because she cannot afford it, and Andrews paid for the surgery herself.
Boyden and Andrews both have gender dysphoria and both identify as women, although they were born male. Boyden is a graduate student and teaching assistant at the University of Wisconsin and Andrews is an associate researcher in the Carbone Cancer Center at UW Hospitals and Clinics.
Larry Dupuis, legal director for the ACLU, praised the jury’s decision and said that “discrimination comes with a cost.”
“No one should be denied health care because of who they are,” Dupuis said in a statement. “Depriving transgender people of access to transition-related care is discrimination and we are pleased the jury awarded Shannon and Alina the money they need to cover their care and for the harm they suffered. Discrimination comes with a cost, and for the State of Wisconsin the bill has come.”
