Ban Medicaid Coverage for Conversion Therapy

Summary#

This bill would change title XIX of the Social Security Act to stop Medicaid from paying for conversion therapy. It adds a rule that, starting on the first day of the first quarter after the law is enacted, Medicaid plans and waivers may not make payments for conversion therapy. The bill defines "conversion therapy" as any paid practice or treatment that tries to change another person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The text says conversion therapy does not include care that helps someone undergoing a gender transition, or counseling that provides acceptance, support, or helps a person cope or explore identity when it does not seek to change orientation or identity. The bill also adds a matching-funds rule so federal Medicaid matching payments do not cover amounts spent on conversion therapy after the effective date.

What it means for you#

• If you are enrolled in Medicaid, Medicaid would not pay for any practice that fits the bill's definition of conversion therapy.
• Health care providers and other entities could not receive Medicaid payments for conversion therapy services described in the bill.
• Treatments that assist a person during a gender transition or that offer support, acceptance, or identity exploration without trying to change orientation or identity are not barred from Medicaid payments by this bill.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on budgetary effects or cost estimates is included in the bill text or the provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.