BOISE, ID — Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has joined a coalition of attorneys general from 24 states in filing a legal brief opposing a federal court order related to gender-affirming surgery for a prison inmate.

The amicus brief, filed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, argues that the Eighth Amendment does not require states to provide specific medical procedures, including gender-affirming surgeries, to incarcerated individuals.

The case stems from a decision by a U.S. District Court in Alaska that directed the state to refer an inmate for a surgical consultation. According to the coalition, that ruling goes beyond constitutional requirements and interferes with states’ authority over prison healthcare systems.

In a statement included in the release, Labrador said the case could set a broader precedent affecting how states manage medical decisions within correctional facilities. The coalition contends that while the Eighth Amendment prohibits deliberate indifference to serious medical needs, it does not guarantee access to any specific type of treatment.

The brief also raises concerns about potential costs and policy implications if courts require states to provide certain medical procedures. It argues that decisions about inmate healthcare should remain under state control and within existing legal frameworks.

The coalition is asking the appellate court to overturn the lower court’s order and reaffirm states’ discretion in managing correctional healthcare systems.

The case remains pending before the court.