Transgender minors and some adults in Missouri will soon be banned from accessing puberty blockers, hormones, and gender-affirming surgeries under a bill signed Wednesday by the state’s Republican governor Mike Parson. Beginning August 28, Missouri healthcare providers won’t be able to prescribe those gender-affirming treatments for teens and children. Most adults will still have access to transgender health care under the law, but Medicaid won’t cover it. Gender-affirming surgeries for inmates and prisoners will be outlawed. The law is set to expire in 2027 as part of a Republican compromise with Senate Democrats. Republican leaders of the House and Senate pledged months ago to pass the bills, but the chambers disagreed on how restrictive the bans should be. The House ultimately took up the Senate’s toned-down version of the health care bill, which includes an exception that allows transgender minors to continue receiving gender-affirming health care if they have already started treatment. The state’s Planned Parenthood clinics have been ramping up available appointments and holding pop-up clinics to start patients on treatments ahead of the law taking effect. Yamelsie Rodríguez, president and CEO, of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, said, "We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure all patients are supported, seen, and cared for. Any patient wanting to continue their gender-affirming care in a state that welcomes people of all identities: our Fairview Heights, Illinois, health center is open to you and we are here to help you make plans to get care." #Queer Up Health