Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill that prohibits TennCare from providing reimbursement for Trans “gender affirming” procedures, not just for minors but for all Tennesseans covered under the state’s Medicaid program, passed in a 5 to 1 vote in the House TennCare Subcommittee on Tuesday.
According to sponsor Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown-District 71), House Bill 2498 (HB2498) closes a “loop hole” in current law which outlaws such procedures for minors.
The proposed legislation would prohibit TennCare from providing coverage for certain procedures, including puberty blockers, if the purpose is solely to enable an individual “to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the individual’s sex” or if the procedure treats “purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the individual’s sex and asserted identity.”
Treatment for congenital defects, precocious puberty, disease, or physical injury would be exempt and continue to be covered.
While the bill is clear that treatment for gender dysphoria, gender identity disorder, gender incongruence, or any mental condition, disorder, disability, or abnormality causing individuals to seek procedures to enable them to live as their preferred gender would not be covered, individuals currently being treated for such would be allowed to continue treatment if it began prior to the effective date of the bill and ends before March 31st, 2027.
The bill has been referred to the House Insurance Committee but a date has yet to be set for it to be heard.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
