Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) firmly rejected calls for state funding of sex change operations for transgender inmates, emphasizing the need to prioritize law-abiding citizens over convicted felons.
Speaking at a press conference, Beshear stated, “Prisoners would be receiving better coverage and healthcare than a law-abiding citizen.” He acknowledged the vulnerabilities of LGBTQ inmates but clarified that tax dollars should not cover elective surgeries for those convicted of crimes.
“Convicted felons do not have the right to have any and all medical surgeries paid for entirely by tax dollars, especially when it would exceed the type of coverage available to law-abiding citizens in the private sector,” Beshear said.
The issue has drawn criticism from Republicans after the Kentucky Department of Corrections amended regulations in 2021 and 2023 to potentially allow transgender surgeries for inmates when other treatments for gender dysphoria have been exhausted.
The Kentucky Republican Party condemned the changes, stating, “It’s appalling that the Beshear Administration wants to force Kentucky taxpayers to pay for transgender surgeries for convicted criminals, especially with the litany of issues that Kentuckians are currently facing.”
Beshear’s centrist approach has helped him maintain office in a predominantly red state, but Republicans continue to link him to the broader Democratic Party. Despite being a rumored contender for Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in 2024, Beshear lost out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
This controversy highlights the ongoing debate over taxpayer funding for medical procedures for prison inmates, with Beshear drawing a clear line against prioritizing felons over law-abiding citizens.
