Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Legislation that mandates insurance companies selling policies for medical transition also include coverage for detransitioning passed on the House floor on Thursday.
The bill passed with a 70 to 2 vote with Republican Representatives Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32) and Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2) present but not voting. The companion bill was referred to the Senate Calendar Committee on Tuesday.
Sponsored by Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby-District 11), House Bill 0754 is a carryover bill from last year, also requires gender clinics and insurance entities to report information regarding detransition procedures to the Tennessee Department of Health.
Faison reassured lawmakers that the bill does not break any HIPPA laws and that all information regarding those seeking detransition would be in the form of deidentified clinical data, with nothing identified back to specific individuals.
“But it’s important for us in the government to make sure we’re constantly looking at science,” said Faison. “Research and collecting data gives us the ability to study trends, outcomes, and effectiveness of treatment without knowing who the patient is.”
Upon the final vote, loud singing broke out in the gallery which House Speaker Cameron Sexton asked state troopers to take care of by escorting the individuals out.
The Senate version of the bill (SB0676) passed the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on Tuesday in an 8 to 3 vote with Republican Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon-District 24) voting no.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
