Case: Vasquez v. Iowa Department of Human Services

EQCE084567 | Iowa state trial court

Filed Date: May 31, 2019

Closed Date: June 28, 2023

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Case Summary

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) This case challenges an amendment to the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which took away protections for transgender people from discrimination in access to public health care. The plaintiff in this case has prevailed in the Iowa Supreme Court.

Summary Authors

Josie Clerfond (4/22/2026)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

No documents yet available via the Clearinghouse.

Docket

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory:

Iowa

Case Type(s):

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Special Collection(s):

Transgender Healthcare Access Cases

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 31, 2019

Closing Date: June 28, 2023

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Two transgender Iowans who had been denied Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

State of Iowa

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State Anti-Discrimination Law

State law

Other Dockets:

Iowa state trial court EQCE084567

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Declaratory Judgment

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief denied

State Statute Struck Down

Issues

Benefits (Source):

Medicaid

Discrimination Area:

Insurance

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Sex discrimination

Sexual orientation

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Transgender

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Transgender

Medical/Mental Health Care:

Gender-affirming care

Medical care, general

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