11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a decision in favor of Family Health Centers, which filed the lawsuit after AHCA rejected a request for an increased Medicaid reimbursement rate.

Among the restrictions are preventing minors from beginning to receive puberty blockers and hormone therapy for treatment of gender dysphoria.

The denial means the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for children with gender dysphoria will remain restricted while the federal appeals court considers an underlying case.

Spektrum Health was prepared to adjust how it provides care for when Florida’s ban on transgender therapies returned.

Tampa-based U.S. District Judge William Jung issued an injunction in July to halt the rule, which was designed to help prevent discrimination in health care programs that receive federal money.

The stay means the state's restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors with gender dysphoria can be in effect while the Atlanta-based court considers an underlying appeal.

The decision could be important for a legal battle over a Florida law that prevents minors from receiving hormone therapy and puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria.

A district judge in June said Florida's law restricting access to gender-affirming care was unconstitutional. Lawyers for plaintiffs and their families say even a temporary rollback on that decision is "devastating."

The ruling effectively means the restrictions on puberty blockers and hormonal treatments for children and adults can take effect while the appeals court considers an underlying appeal.

Attorneys for the state filed a 36-page motion at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seeking a stay of a district judge ruling that blocked restrictions imposed last year.