Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB498

Introduced
1/16/25  

Caption

Do No Harm in Medicaid ActThis bill prohibits federal Medicaid payment for specified gender transition procedures for individuals under the age of 18. The bill defines these procedures to mean those that are intended to change the body of an individual to no longer correspond to the individual's biological sex (male or female), including specified surgeries, implants, and medications (e.g., hormones).The bill excludes procedures that are provided to an individual under the age of 18 with the consent of a parent or legal guardian and that are intended to (1) rectify early puberty, genetic disorders, or chromosomal abnormalities; (2) reverse prior gender transition procedures; or (3) prevent imminent death or impairment of a major bodily function.

Impact

If enacted, HB498 would have significant implications for healthcare access and Medicaid funding related to gender transition for minors. It would effectively limit the types of medical services accessible under Medicaid, placing financial constraints on transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming care. As a result, this could lead to broader disparities in health outcomes for minors who rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs. The bill also raises important questions about parental rights and medical authority, as it allows exceptions only for treatments addressing specific medical conditions or precocious puberty, while excluding broader gender transition procedures.

Summary

House Bill 498, titled the 'Do No Harm in Medicaid Act', seeks to amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit federal Medicaid funding for gender transition procedures for minors. The bill specifically includes a list of medical procedures and treatments that fall under the definition of gender transition, such as surgeries and hormone therapies that are aimed at altering an individual's physical traits to correspond with their gender identity. This legislation reflects a growing trend among various state and national lawmakers to restrict access to certain medical treatments for transgender minors, citing concerns about long-term effects and the appropriateness of such procedures for individuals who are not yet fully developed emotionally and psychologically.

Contention

The proposal has garnered considerable debate and controversy. Supporters argue that the bill protects minors from making irreversible decisions regarding their own bodies at a young age and emphasizes the need for age-appropriate medical intervention. Conversely, opponents assert that this legislation undermines the rights of parents to make informed medical decisions about their children’s health, and it restricts access to medically necessary treatments for transgender youths who benefit from gender-affirming care. This contention highlights a key battle in the ongoing national discussion about healthcare rights for transgender individuals and the role of government in personal health decisions.

Congress_id

119-HR-498

Policy_area

Health

Introduced_date

2025-01-16

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB5511

A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide additional opportunities for older individuals to volunteer at facilities that serve older individuals or individuals in younger generations, and for other purposes.

US HB481

Wildfire Smoke Relief Act This bill provides for assistance for the purchase of smoke inhalation prevention equipment to specified individuals at risk of wildfire smoke-related illness. The President, in carrying out the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), shall provide (1) assistance to a state or local government, local public health authority, or a coordinated care organization to purchase and provide such equipment to at-risk individuals; and (2) cost-efficient transitional shelter assistance to at-risk individuals in any case in which such equipment is insufficient to mitigate the risk of illness.

US HB10367

To establish Federal policies and procedures to notify the next-of-kin or other emergency contact upon the death, or serious illness or serious injury, of an individual in Federal custody, to provide model policies for States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes to implement and enforce similar policies and procedures, and for other purposes.

US SB5477

A bill to establish Federal policies and procedures to notify the next of kin or other emergency contact upon the death, or serious illness or serious injury, of an individual in Federal custody, to provide model policies for States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes to implement and enforce similar policies and procedures, and for other purposes.

US HB133

Mandating Exclusive Review of Individual Treatments (MERIT) Act This bill specifies that coverage determinations for drugs and biologics under Medicare must be made with respect to each drug or biologic, rather than with respect to a class of drugs or biologics.

US HR1579

Prohibiting Members, officers, and employees of the House from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex, and for other purposes.

US HB454

Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023 This bill makes changes to the federal law prohibiting child sexual tourism. First, the bill revises the specific intent required for certain offenses involving interstate or foreign travel to engage in or facilitate illicit sexual conduct. Specifically, this bill requires the government to prove that an individual traveled (or facilitated travel) with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct (currently, with a motivating purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct). Further, it specifies that the term intent is to be construed as any intention to engage in illicit sexual conduct at the time of the travel. Second, the bill establishes new criminal offenses for acts in furtherance of illicit sexual conduct by an officer, director, employee, or agent of an organization through his or her connection to or affiliation with the organization. A violation is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to 30 years, or both. Finally, the bill specifies that the term sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense does not require interpersonal physical contact.

US HB10317

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a community engagement requirement for certain individuals under the Medicaid program.

US HB393

Modern GI Bill Act This bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months. The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2024 and the following years.

US SB5172

A bill to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to ensure that businesses and organizations that work with vulnerable populations are able to request background checks for their contractors who work with those populations, as well as for individuals that the businesses or organizations license or certify to provide care for those populations.

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