House passes tax bill that bans Medicaid from covering transition-related care

The tax bill recently approved by the House includes provisions that would prevent Medicaid from covering transgender care and would also stop Affordable Care Act plans from including such care as a necessary health benefit. This could potentially limit access to care for many transgender adults and minors.

Originally, the bill aimed to prohibit Medicaid from covering gender transition procedures for minors, including hormone therapy and surgery. However, an amendment was introduced by House Republican leaders that removed the age limit, allowing the prohibition to apply to all individuals.

Additionally, the bill would prevent transition-related medical care from being considered an essential health benefit in plans offered through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace. This could have a significant impact on the hundreds of thousands of transgender adults in the U.S. who rely on Medicaid for insurance.

President Trump has been focused on restricting access to care for transgender individuals, signing executive orders that limit their rights. LGBTQ advocates and medical professionals argue that these restrictions are not based on accurate information and go against the recommendations of major medical associations.

The bill’s provisions have sparked criticism from LGBTQ advocates, who argue that the restrictions are discriminatory and could face legal challenges for violating equal protection laws. The bill could also conflict with state laws that prohibit insurers from excluding coverage for gender-affirming care.