Image Credit: TN General Assembly & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The House Health Subcommittee is set to hear a bill requiring parents to be physically present and give explicit consent to healthcare providers before asking minors any questions about gender ideology on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
HB1665, sponsored by Rep. Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville-District 68), states that healthcare providers would be prohibited from asking, both verbally or in written form, any questions about gender identity, gender confusion, or gender dysphoria, including whether the minor feels “normal” in their body or believes they are the correct gender, unless a child’s parent is physically present, fully informed, and gives written consent to the questions.
The only exceptions allowing a healthcare provider to ask the gender identity questions would be if such a question is “directly related to the diagnoses or treatment of a specific medical or psychological condition currently being evaluated” or the provider reasonably believes the minor is a victim of trafficking, brutality, abuse, or neglect to determine whether the provider must make a report per state law.
Under the bill, a violation by a healthcare provider would constitute “unprofessional conduct subject to discipline by the relevant licensing board,” though Maberry has previously stated he is open to amendments from his colleagues to potentially strengthen the consequences.
Additionally, the bill says a health insurance issuer, managed care organization, or any entity providing reimbursement for healthcare services cannot require a healthcare provider or facility to ask any questions about gender identity topics as a condition of payment, credentialing, quality scoring, compliance, or participation.
Insurers could not reduce payments, impose penalties, or otherwise disadvantage a provider who does not ask such questions, and should an insurer violate the provisions, it would be considered a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977.
Maberry was inspired to file this bill after his teenage daughter had an uncomfortable experience during a routine checkup, with doctors asking her several questions about being comfortable in her own body and gender while neither parent was present. After confronting the practice and learning many of the gender-related questions were requirements of insurance companies, he developed this legislation to handle both providers and insurers simultaneously.
The Senate companion bill, SB1664, is carried by Sen. Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale-District 32) and is still awaiting a calendar date for the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.
To contact members of the House Health Subcommittee before the Wednesday meeting with thoughts on HB1665, use the contact information below:
Rep.brock.martin@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.timothy.hill@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.bryan.terry@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.brock.martin@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov; rep.timothy.hill@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov; rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov; rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.bryan.terry@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Thanx, emailed committee, “Please don’t kill this!”