An Iowa judge ruled Thursday that the state cannot deny two transgender women Medicaid coverage for gender reassignment surgery.

Iowa residents Carol Ann Beal and EerieAnna Good filed a lawsuit last year after their surgical requests were denied by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS).

Chief District Judge Arthur Gamble said the stateโ€™s denial of both womenโ€™s care policy violated the stateโ€™s constitution and Iowa Civil Rights Act.